Imidazopyrazines

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to imidazopyrazine compounds of general Formula (I): in which X, R 1 , R 2 , R 3a , R 3b , R 4a , R 4b , R 4C , and R 4D  are as given in the description and in the claims, to methods of preparing said compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions and combinations comprising said compounds, to the use of said compounds for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease, as well as to intermediate compounds useful in the preparation of said compounds.

The present invention relates to imidazopyrazine compounds of general formula (I) as described and defined herein, to methods of preparing said compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions and combinations comprising said compounds, to the use of said compounds for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease, as well as to intermediate compounds useful in the preparation of said compounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to chemical compounds that inhibit Mps-1 (Monopolar Spindle 1) kinase (also known as Tyrosine Threonine Kinase, TTK). Mps-1 is a dual specificity Ser/Thr kinase which plays a key role in the activation of the mitotic checkpoint (also known as spindle checkpoint, spindle assembly checkpoint) thereby ensuring proper chromosome segregation during mitosis [Abrieu A et al., Cell, 2001, 106, 83-93]. Every dividing cell has to ensure equal separation of the replicated chromosomes into the two daughter cells. Upon entry into mitosis, chromosomes are attached at their kinetochores to the microtubules of the spindle apparatus. The mitotic checkpoint is a surveillance mechanism that is active as long as unattached kinetochores are present and prevents mitotic cells from entering anaphase and thereby completing cell division with unattached chromosomes [Suijkerbuijk S J and Kops G J, Biochemica et Biophysica Acta, 2008, 1786, 24-31; Musacchio A and Salmon E D, Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol., 2007, 8, 379-93]. Once all kinetochores are attached in a correct amphitelic, i.e. bipolar, fashion with the mitotic spindle, the checkpoint is satisfied and the cell enters anaphase and proceeds through mitosis. The mitotic checkpoint consists of complex network of a number of essential proteins, including members of the MAD (mitotic arrest deficient, MAD 1-3) and Bub (Budding uninhibited by benzimidazole, Bub 1-3) families, the motor protein CENP-E, Mps-1 kinase as well as other components, many of these being over-expressed in proliferating cells (e.g. cancer cells) and tissues [Yuan B et al., Clinical Cancer Research, 2006, 12, 405-10]. The essential role of Mps-1 kinase activity in mitotic checkpoint signalling has been shown by shRNA-silencing, chemical genetics as well as chemical inhibitors of Mps-1 kinase [Jelluma N et al., PLos ONE, 2008, 3, e2415; Jones M H et al., Current Biology, 2005, 15, 160-65; Dorer R K et al., Current Biology, 2005, 15, 1070-76; Schmidt M et al., EMBO Reports, 2005, 6, 866-72].

There is ample evidence linking reduced but incomplete mitotic checkpoint function with aneuploidy and tumorigenesis [Weaver B A and Cleveland D W, Cancer Research, 2007, 67, 10103-5; King R W, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 2008, 1786, 4-14]. In contrast, complete inhibition of the mitotic checkpoint has been recognised to result in severe chromosome missegregation and induction of apoptosis in tumour cells [Kops G J et al., Nature Reviews Cancer, 2005, 5, 773-85; Schmidt M and Medema R H, Cell Cycle, 2006, 5, 159-63; Schmidt M and Bastians H, Drug Resistance Updates, 2007, 10, 162-81]. Therefore, mitotic checkpoint abrogation through pharmacological inhibition of Mps-1 kinase or other components of the mitotic checkpoint represents a new approach for the treatment of proliferative disorders including solid tumours such as carcinomas and sarcomas and leukaemias and lymphoid malignancies or other disorders associated with uncontrolled cellular proliferation.

Established anti-mitotic drugs such as vinca alkaloids, taxanes or epothilones activate the SAC inducing a mitotic arrest either by stabilising or destabilising microtubule dynamics. This arrest prevents separation of sister chromatids to form the two daughter cells. Prolonged arrest in mitosis forces a cell either into mitotic exit without cytokinesis or into mitotic catastrophe leading to cell death.

In contrast, inhibitors of Mps1 induce a SAC inactivation that accelerates progression of cells through mitosis resulting in severe chromosomal missegregation and finally in cell death.

These findings suggest that MPS1 inhibitors should be of therapeutic value for the treatment of proliferative disorders associated with enhanced uncontrolled proliferative cellular processes such as, for example, cancer, inflammation, arthritis, viral diseases, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular diseases, or fungal diseases in a warm-blooded animal such as man.

Therefore, inhibitors of MPS1 represent valuable compounds that should complement therapeutic options either as single agents or in combination with other drugs.

Protein kinase inhibitors based on substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-8-amine compounds are well known and are claimed to specifically inhibit CDK1, CDK2, MAPK, ERK, GSK3β, JNK, CHK-1, CHK-2, VEGF-R², EGFR, HER², SRC, JAK, TEK, Aurora, MK1, MK2, AKT, Pim-1, Abl and Src kinases (see WO 2004/026877, US 2006/0106023, US 2007/0105864, WO 2007/058942, WO 2007/131991, WO2007/145921, WO 2008/079460, WO 2008/057512, WO 2008/082490, WO 2009/097233, US 2009/0175852).

However, the state of the art described above does not describe the imidazopyrazine compounds of general formula (I) of the present invention, or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, an N-oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, or a salt thereof, or a mixture of same, as described and defined herein, and as hereinafter referred to as “compounds of the present invention”, or their pharmacological activity. It has now been found, and this constitutes the basis of the present invention, that said compounds of the present invention have surprising and advantageous properties.

In particular, said compounds of the present invention have surprisingly been found to effectively inhibit Mps-1 kinase and may therefore be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases of uncontrolled cell growth, proliferation and/or survival, inappropriate cellular immune responses, or inappropriate cellular inflammatory responses or diseases which are accompanied with uncontrolled cell growth, proliferation and/or survival, inappropriate cellular immune responses, or inappropriate cellular inflammatory responses, particularly in which the uncontrolled cell growth, proliferation and/or survival, inappropriate cellular immune responses, or inappropriate cellular inflammatory responses is mediated by Mps-1 kinase, such as, for example, haemotological tumours, solid tumours, and/or metastases thereof, e.g. leukaemias and myelodysplastic syndrome, malignant lymphomas, head and neck tumours including brain tumours and brain metastases, tumours of the thorax including non-small cell and small cell lung tumours, gastrointestinal tumours, endocrine tumours, mammary and other gynaecological tumours, urological tumours including renal, bladder and prostate tumours, skin tumours, and sarcomas, and/or metastases thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention covers compounds of general formula (I):

in which:

-   X represents an —SR⁵, —S(═O)R⁵, —S(═O)₂R⁵, —S(═O)(═NR^(5a))R^(5b),     or —S(═O)₂N(R^(5b))R^(5c) group; -   R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN,     C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-,     HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,     halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-,     —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶,     —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b),     —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b),     —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b),     —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸,     —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸,     —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸,     —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸,     —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group -   R² represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN,     C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-,     HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,     halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, or C₂-C₆-alkynyl-,     —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶,     —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b),     —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b),     —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b),     —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸,     —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸,     —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸,     —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(—O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸,     —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group;     -   or a group selected from:

-   -   (in which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with         the rest of the molecule);

-   R^(3a), R^(3b)     -   represent, independently from one another, a hydrogen atom or a         halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl),         aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN,         C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-,         C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, heteroaryl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸,         —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂,         —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂,         —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b),         —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸,         —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b),         —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b),         —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸,         —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸,         —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b)         group;     -   said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,         aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a         3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-,         C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-,         heteroaryl,     -   being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with         1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups;

-   R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d)     -   represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen or halogen         atom, or a —CN, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R^(8a)(R^(8b))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸,         —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂,         —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b),         —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸,         —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b),         —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b),         —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸,         —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸,         —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b)         group;

-   or

-   R^(4c), together with R², forms an *N(R⁶)—N═C*—NH₂ group, (in     which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with the     rest of the molecule);

-   R⁵, R^(5b), R^(5c),     -   represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a         C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl),         aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN,         C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-,         heteroaryl group;     -   said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl),         aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN,         C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-,         heteroaryl,     -   being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with         1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups;

-   R^(5a) represents a hydrogen atom or a —C(═O)—C₁-C₆-alkyl, or     —C(═O)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group; said C₁-C₆-alkyl being optionally     substituted, identically or differently, with one or more halogen     atom;

-   R⁶, R^(6a)     -   represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom or a         C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group,

-   R⁷ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a —CN,     halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R^(8a)(R^(8b))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl,     C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,     C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b),     —C(═O)O—R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸,     —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b),     —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b),     —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸,     —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸,     —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸,     —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸,     —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group;

-   R⁸, R^(8a), R^(8b),     -   represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a         C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, 3- to 7-membered         heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, or         heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-group;

-   m is an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10;     or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, an N-oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, or     a salt thereof, or a mixture of same.

The terms as mentioned in the present text have preferably the following meanings:

The term “halogen atom” or “halo-” is to be understood as meaning a fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atom, preferably a fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atom.

The term “C₁-C₆-alkyl” is to be understood as preferably meaning a linear or branched, saturated, monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 carbon atoms, e.g. a methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, iso-propyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, iso-pentyl, 2-methylbutyl, 1-methylbutyl, 1-ethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, neo-pentyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl, 4-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, or 1,2-dimethylbutyl group, or an isomer thereof. Particularly, said group has 1, 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms (“C₁-C₄-alkyl”), e.g. a methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, iso-propyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl group, more particularly 1, 2 or 3 carbon atoms (“C₁-C₃-alkyl”), e.g. a methyl, ethyl, n-propyl- or iso-propyl group.

The term “halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl” is to be understood as preferably meaning a linear or branched, saturated, monovalent hydrocarbon group in which the term “C₁-C₆-alkyl” is defined supra, and in which one or more hydrogen atoms is replaced by a halogen atom, in identically or differently, i.e. one halogen atom being independent from another. Particularly, said halogen atom is F. Said halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl group is, for example, —CF₃, —CHF₂, —CH₂F, —CF₂CF₃, or —CH₂CF₃.

The term “C₁-C₆-alkoxy” is to be understood as preferably meaning a linear or branched, saturated, monovalent, hydrocarbon group of formula —O-alkyl, in which the term “alkyl” is defined supra, e.g. a methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, iso-propoxy, n-butoxy, iso-butoxy, tert-butoxy, sec-butoxy, pentoxy, iso-pentoxy, or n-hexoxy group, or an isomer thereof.

The term “halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy” is to be understood as preferably meaning a linear or branched, saturated, monovalent C₁-C₆-alkoxy group, as defined supra, in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms is replaced, in identically or differently, by a halogen atom. Particularly, said halogen atom is F. Said halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy group is, for example, —OCF₃, —OCHF₂, —OCH₂F, —OCF₂CF₃, or —OCH₂CF₃.

The term “C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl” is to be understood as preferably meaning a linear or branched, saturated, monovalent alkyl group, as defined supra, in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms is replaced, in identically or differently, by a C₁-C₆-alkoxy group, as defined supra, e.g. methoxyalkyl, ethoxyalkyl, propyloxyalkyl, iso-propoxyalkyl, butoxyalkyl, iso-butoxyalkyl, tert-butoxyalkyl, sec-butoxyalkyl, pentyloxyalkyl, iso-pentyloxyalkyl, hexyloxyalkyl group, in which the term “C₁-C₆-alkyl” is defined supra, or an isomer thereof.

The term “halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl” is to be understood as preferably meaning a linear or branched, saturated, monovalent C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl group, as defined supra, in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms is replaced, in identically or differently, by a halogen atom. Particularly, said halogen atom is F. Said halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl group is, for example, —CH₂CH₂OCF₃, —CH₂CH₂OCHF₂, —CH₂CH₂OCH₂F, —CH₂CH₂OCF₂CF₃, or —CH₂CH₂OCH₂CF₃.

The term “C₂-C₆-alkenyl” is to be understood as preferably meaning a linear or branched, monovalent hydrocarbon group, which contains one or more double bonds, and which has 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms, particularly 2 or 3 carbon atoms (“C₂-C₃-alkenyl”), it being understood that in the case in which said alkenyl group contains more than one double bond, then said double bonds may be isolated from, or conjugated with, each other. Said alkenyl group is, for example, a vinyl, allyl, (E)-2-methylvinyl, (Z)-2-methylvinyl, homoallyl, (E)-but-2-enyl, (Z)-but-2-enyl, (E)-but-1-enyl, (Z)-but-1-enyl, pent-4-enyl, (E)-pent-3-enyl, (Z)-pent-3-enyl, (E)-pent-2-enyl, (Z)-pent-2-enyl, (E)-pent-1-enyl, (Z)-pent-1-enyl, hex-5-enyl, (E)-hex-4-enyl, (Z)-hex-4-enyl, (E)-hex-3-enyl, (Z)-hex-3-enyl, (E)-hex-2-enyl, (Z)-hex-2-enyl, (E)-hex-1-enyl, (Z)-hex-1-enyl, isopropenyl, 2-methylprop-2-enyl, 1-methylprop-2-enyl, 2-methylprop-1-enyl, (E)-1-methylprop-1-enyl, (Z)-1-methylprop-1-enyl, 3-methylbut-3-enyl, 2-methylbut-3-enyl, 1-methylbut-3-enyl, 3-methylbut-2-enyl, (E)-2-methylbut-2-enyl, (Z)-2-methylbut-2-enyl, (E)-1-methylbut-2-enyl, (Z)-1-methylbut-2-enyl, (E)-3-methylbut-1-enyl, (Z)-3-methylbut-1-enyl, (E)-2-methylbut-1-enyl, (Z)-2-methylbut-1-enyl, (E)-1-methylbut-1-enyl, (Z)-1-methylbut-1-enyl, 1,1-dimethylprop-2-enyl, 1-ethylprop-1-enyl, 1-propylvinyl, 1-isopropylvinyl, 4-methylpent-4-enyl, 3-methylpent-4-enyl, 2-methylpent-4-enyl, 1-methylpent-4-enyl, 4-methylpent-3-enyl, (E)-3-methylpent-3-enyl, (Z)-3-methylpent-3-enyl, (E)-2-methylpent-3-enyl, (Z)-2-methylpent-3-enyl, (E)-1-methylpent-3-enyl, (Z)-1-methylpent-3-enyl, (E)-4-methylpent-2-enyl, (Z)-4-methylpent-2-enyl, (E)-3-methylpent-2-enyl, (Z)-3-methylpent-2-enyl, (E)-2-methylpent-2-enyl, (Z)-2-methylpent-2-enyl, (E)-1-methylpent-2-enyl, (Z)-1-methylpent-2-enyl, (E)-4-methylpent-1-enyl, (Z)-4-methylpent-1-enyl, (E)-3-methylpent-1-enyl, (Z)-3-methylpent-1-enyl, (E)-2-methylpent-1-enyl, (Z)-2-methylpent-1-enyl, (E)-1-methylpent-1-enyl, (Z)-1-methylpent-1-enyl, 3-ethylbut-3-enyl, 2-ethylbut-3-e nyl, 1-ethylbut-3-enyl, (E)-3-ethylbut-2-enyl, (Z)-3-ethylbut-2-enyl, (E)-2-ethylbut-2-enyl, (Z)-2-ethylbut-2-enyl, (E)-1-ethylbut-2-enyl, (Z)-1-ethylbut-2-enyl, (E)-3-ethylbut-1-enyl, (Z)-3-ethylbut-1-enyl, 2-ethylbut-1-enyl, (E)-1-ethylbut-1-enyl, (Z)-1-ethylbut-1-enyl, 2-propylprop-2-enyl, 1-propylprop-2-enyl, 2-isopropylprop-2-enyl, 1-isopropylprop-2-enyl, (E)-2-propylprop-1-enyl, (Z)-2-propylprop-1-enyl, (E)-1-propylprop-1-enyl, (Z)-1-propylprop-1-enyl, (E)-2-isopropylprop-1-enyl, (Z)-2-isopropylprop-1-enyl, (E)-1-isopropylprop-1-enyl, (Z)-1-isopropylprop-1-enyl, (E)-3,3-dimethylprop-1-enyl, (Z)-3,3-dimethylprop-1-enyl, 1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)ethenyl, buta-1,3-dienyl, penta-1,4-dienyl, hexa-1,5-dienyl, or methylhexadienyl group. Particularly, said group is vinyl or allyl.

The term “C₂-C₆-alkynyl” is to be understood as preferably meaning a linear or branched, monovalent hydrocarbon group which contains one or more triple bonds, and which contains 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms, particularly 2 or 3 carbon atoms (“C₂-C₃-alkynyl”). Said C₂-C₆-alkynyl group is, for example, ethynyl, prop-1-ynyl, prop-2-ynyl, but-1-ynyl, but-2-ynyl, but-3-ynyl, pent-1-ynyl, pent-2-ynyl, pent-3-ynyl, pent-4-ynyl, hex-1-ynyl, hex-2-inyl, hex-3-inyl, hex-4-ynyl, hex-5-ynyl, 1-methylprop-2-ynyl, 2-methylbut-3-ynyl, 1-methylbut-3-ynyl, 1-methylbut-2-ynyl, 3-methylbut-1-ynyl, 1-ethylprop-2-ynyl, 3-methylpent-4-ynyl, 2-methylpent-4-ynyl, 1-methylpent-4-ynyl, 2-methylpent-3-ynyl, 1-methylpent-3-ynyl, 4-methylpent-2-ynyl, 1-methylpent-2-ynyl, 4-methylpent-1-ynyl, 3-methylpent-1-ynyl, 2-ethylbut-3-ynyl, 1-ethylbut-3-ynyl, 1-ethylbut-2-ynyl, 1-propylprop-2-ynyl, 1-isopropylprop-2-ynyl, 2,2-dimethyl-but-3-inyl, 1,1-dimethylbut-3-ynyl, 1,1-dimethylbut-2-ynyl, or 3,3-dimethyl-but-1-ynyl group. Particularly, said alkynyl group is ethynyl, prop-1-ynyl, or prop-2-inyl.

The term “C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl” is to be understood as preferably meaning a saturated, monovalent, mono-, or bicyclic hydrocarbon ring which contains 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms (“C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl”). Said C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group is for example, a monocyclic hydrocarbon ring, e.g. a cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl or a bicyclic hydrocarbon ring, e.g. a perhydropentalenylene or decalin ring. Said cycloalkyl ring can optionally contain one or more double bonds e.g. cycloalkenyl, such as a cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl or cyclohexenyl group, wherein the bond between said ring with the rest of the molecule may be to any carbon atom of said ring, be it saturated or unsaturated.

The term “heterocyclic ring”, as used in the term “4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 9- or 10-membered heterocyclic ring”, or “4- to 6-membered heterocyclic ring” or “5- to 6-membered heterocyclic ring”, for example, as used in the definition of compounds of general formula (I) as defined herein, is to be understood as meaning a saturated or partially unsaturated, mono-, bi- or poly-cyclic nitrogen atom-containing ring, said nitrogen atom being the point of attachment of said heterocyclic ring with the rest of the molecule. Said nitrogen atom-containing ring optionally further contains 1 or 2 heteroatom-containing groups selected from O, C(═O), S, S(═O), S(═O)₂, NR⁸ in which R⁸ is as defined supra. Particularly, without being limited thereto, said nitrogen atom-containing ring can be a 4-membered ring, such as an azetidinyl ring, for example, or a 5-membered ring, such as a pyrrolidinyl ring, for example, or a 6-membered ring, such as a piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, or thiomorpholinyl ring, for example, or a 7-membered ring, such as a diazepanyl ring ring, for example, or an 8-, 9-, or 10-membered ring, such as a cycloheptylaminyl, cyclooctylaminyl, or cyclononylaminyl ring, respectively, for example; it being reiterated that any of the above-mentioned nitrogen atom-containing rings can further contain 1 or 2 heteroatom-containing groups selected from O, C(═O), S, S(═O), S(═O)₂, NR⁸ in which R⁸ is as defined supra. As mentioned supra, said nitrogen atom-containing ring can be bicyclic, such as, without being limited thereto, a 5,5-membered ring, e.g. a hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrrol-2(1H)-yl) ring, or a 5,6-membered bicyclic ring, e.g. a hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazin-2(1H)-yl ring, or for example. As mentioned supra, said nitrogen atom-containing ring can be partially unsaturated, i.e. it can contain one or more double bonds, such as, without being limited thereto, a 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrolyl, 4H-[1,3,4]thiadiazinyl, 4,5-dihydrooxazolyl, or 4H-[1,4]thiazinyl ring, for example, or, it may be benzo-fused, such as, without being limited thereto, a dihydroisoquinolinyl ring, for example.

The term “3- to 10-membered heterocycloalkyl” is to be understood as preferably meaning a saturated or partially unsaturated, monovalent, mono- or bicyclic hydrocarbon ring which contains 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 carbon atoms, and one or more heteroatom-containing groups selected from C(═O), O, S, S(═O), S(═O)₂, NR⁶. Particularly, said ring can contain 2, 3, 4, or 5 carbon atoms, and one or more of the above-mentioned heteroatom-containing groups (a “3- to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl”), more particularly said ring can contain 4 or 5 carbon atoms, and one or more of the above-mentioned heteroatom-containing groups (a “5- to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl”). Said heterocycloalkyl ring is for example, a monocyclic heterocycloalkyl ring such as an oxyranyl, oxetanyl, aziridinyl, azetidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, dithianyl, thiomorpholinyl, piperazinyl, trithianyl, or chinuclidinyl group. Optionally, said heterocycloalkyl ring can contain one or more double bonds, e.g. 4H-pyranyl, 2H-pyranyl, 3H-diazirinyl, 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrolyl, [1,3]dioxolyl, 4H-[1,3,4]thiadiazinyl, 2,5-dihydrofuranyl, 2,3-dihydrofuranyl, 2,5-dihydrothiophenyl, 2,3-dihydrothiophenyl, 4,5-dihydrooxazolyl, or 4H-[1,4]thiazinyl group, or, it may be benzo fused.

The term “aryl” is to be understood as preferably meaning a monovalent, aromatic or partially aromatic, mono-, or bi- or tricyclic hydrocarbon ring having 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 carbon atoms (a “C₆-C₁₄-aryl” group), particularly a ring having 6 carbon atoms (a “C₆-aryl” group), e.g. a phenyl group, or a biphenyl group, or a ring having 9 carbon atoms (a “C₉-aryl” group), e.g. an indanyl or indenyl group, or a ring having 10 carbon atoms (a “C₁₋₁₀-aryl” group), e.g. a tetralinyl, dihydronaphthyl, or naphthyl group, or a ring having 13 carbon atoms, (a “C₁₋₃-aryl” group), e.g. a fluorenyl group, or a ring having 14 carbon atoms, (a “C₁₋₄-aryl” group), e.g. an anthranyl group.

The term “heteroaryl” is understood as preferably meaning a monovalent, aromatic, mono- or bicyclic aromatic ring system having 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 ring atoms (a “5- to 14-membered heteroaryl” group), particularly 5 or 6 or 9 or 10 atoms, and which contains at least one heteroatom which may be identical or different, said heteroatom being such as oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur, and can be monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic, and in addition in each case can be benzocondensed. Particularly, heteroaryl is selected from thienyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, triazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thia-4H-pyrazolyl etc., and benzo derivatives thereof, such as, for example, benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzotriazolyl, indazolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, etc.; or pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, triazinyl, etc., and benzo derivatives thereof, such as, for example, quinolinyl, quinazolinyl, isoquinolinyl, etc.; or azocinyl, indolizinyl, purinyl, etc., and benzo derivatives thereof; or cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, naphthpyridinyl, pteridinyl, carbazolyl, acridinyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxazinyl, xanthenyl, or oxepinyl, etc. More particularly, heteroaryl is selected from pyridyl, benzofuranyl, benzisoxazolyl, indazolyl, quinazolinyl, thienyl, quinolinyl, benzothienyl, pyrazolyl, or furanyl.

More particularly, said heteroaryl group may be selected from the following:

in which * indicates the point of attachment of said heteroaryl group with the rest of the molecule.

In general, and unless otherwise mentioned, the heteroarylic or heteroarylenic radicals include all the possible isomeric forms thereof, e.g. the positional isomers thereof. Thus, for some illustrative non-restricting example, the term pyridinyl or pyridinylene includes pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-2-ylene, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-3-ylene, pyridin-4-yl and pyridin-4-ylene; or the term thienyl or thienylene includes thien-2-yl, thien-2-ylene, thien-3-yl and thien-3-ylene.

The term “C₁-C₆”, as used throughout this text, e.g. in the context of the definition of “C₁-C₆-alkyl”, “C₁-C₆-haloalkyl”, “C₁-C₆-alkoxy”, or “C₁-C₆-haloalkoxy” is to be understood as meaning an alkyl group having a finite number of carbon atoms of 1 to 6, i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 carbon atoms. It is to be understood further that said term “C₁-C₆” is to be interpreted as any sub-range comprised therein, e.g. C₁-C₆, C₂-C₅, C₃-C₄, C₁-C₂, C₁-C₃, C₁-C₄, C₁-C₅, C₁-C₆; particularly C₁-C₂, C₁-C₃, C₁-C₄, C₁-C₅, C₁-C₆; more particularly C₁-C₄; in the case of “C₁-C₆-haloalkyl” or “C₁-C₆-haloalkoxy” even more particularly C₁-C₂.

Similarly, as used herein, the term “C₂-C₆”, as used throughout this text, e.g. in the context of the definitions of “C₂-C₆-alkenyl” and “C₂-C₆-alkynyl”, is to be understood as meaning an alkenyl group or an alkynyl group having a finite number of carbon atoms of 2 to 6, i.e. 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 carbon atoms. It is to be understood further that said term “C₂-C₆” is to be interpreted as any sub-range comprised therein, e.g. C₂-C₆, C₃-C₅, C₃-C₄, C₂-C₃, C₂-C₄, C₂-C₅; particularly C₂-C₃.

Further, as used herein, the term “C₃-C₆”, as used throughout this text, e.g. in the context of the definition of “C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl”, is to be understood as meaning a cycloalkyl group having a finite number of carbon atoms of 3 to 6, i.e. 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms. It is to be understood further that said term “C₃-C₆” is to be interpreted as any sub-range comprised therein, e.g. C₃-C₆, C₄-C₅, C₃-C₅, C₃-C₄, C₄-C₆, C₅-C₆; particularly C₃-C₆.

The term “substituted” means that one or more hydrogens on the designated atom is replaced with a selection from the indicated group, provided that the designated atom's normal valency under the existing circumstances is not exceeded, and that the substitution results in a stable compound. Combinations of substituents and/or variables are permissible only if such combinations result in stable compounds.

The term “optionally substituted” means optional substitution with the specified groups, radicals or moieties.

Ring system substituent means a substituent attached to an aromatic or nonaromatic ring system which, for example, replaces an available hydrogen on the ring system.

As used herein, the term “one or more times”, e.g. in the definition of the substituents of the compounds of the general formulae of the present invention, is understood as meaning “one, two, three, four or five times, particularly one, two, three or four times, more particularly one, two or three times, even more particularly one or two times”.

Where the plural form of the word compounds, salts, polymorphs, hydrates, solvates and the like, is used herein, this is taken to mean also a single compound, salt, polymorph, isomer, hydrate, solvate or the like.

By “stable compound’ or “stable structure” is meant a compound that is sufficiently robust to survive isolation to a useful degree of purity from a reaction mixture, and formulation into an efficacious therapeutic agent.

The compounds of this invention may contain one or more asymmetric centre, depending upon the location and nature of the various substituents desired. Asymmetric carbon atoms may be present in the (R) or (S) configuration, resulting in racemic mixtures in the case of a single asymmetric centre, and diastereomeric mixtures in the case of multiple asymmetric centres. In certain instances, asymmetry may also be present due to restricted rotation about a given bond, for example, the central bond adjoining two substituted aromatic rings of the specified compounds.

Substituents on a ring may also be present in either cis or trans form. It is intended that all such configurations (including enantiomers and diastereomers), are included within the scope of the present invention.

Preferred compounds are those which produce the more desirable biological activity. Separated, pure or partially purified isomers and stereoisomers or racemic or diastereomeric mixtures of the compounds of this invention are also included within the scope of the present invention. The purification and the separation of such materials can be accomplished by standard techniques known in the art.

The optical isomers can be obtained by resolution of the racemic mixtures according to conventional processes, for example, by the formation of diastereoisomeric salts using an optically active acid or base or formation of covalent diastereomers. Examples of appropriate acids are tartaric, diacetyltartaric, ditoluoyltartaric and camphorsulfonic acid. Mixtures of diastereoisomers can be separated into their individual diastereomers on the basis of their physical and/or chemical differences by methods known in the art, for example, by chromatography or fractional crystallisation. The optically active bases or acids are then liberated from the separated diastereomeric salts. A different process for separation of optical isomers involves the use of chiral chromatography (e.g., chiral HPLC columns), with or without conventional derivatisation, optimally chosen to maximise the separation of the enantiomers. Suitable chiral HPLC columns are manufactured by Diacel, e.g., Chiracel OD and Chiracel OJ among many others, all routinely selectable. Enzymatic separations, with or without derivatisation, are also useful. The optically active compounds of this invention can likewise be obtained by chiral syntheses utilizing optically active starting materials.

In order to limit different types of isomers from each other reference is made to IUPAC Rules Section E (Pure Appl Chem 45, 11-30, 1976).

The present invention includes all possible stereoisomers of the compounds of the present invention as single stereoisomers, or as any mixture of said stereoisomers, in any ratio. Isolation of a single stereoisomer, e.g. a single enantiomer or a single diastereomer, of a compound of the present invention may be achieved by any suitable state of the art method, such as chromatography, especially chiral chromatography, for example.

Further, the compounds of the present invention may exist as tautomers. For example, any compound of the present invention which contains a pyrazole moiety as a heteroaryl group for example can exist as a 1H tautomer, or a 2H tautomer, or even a mixture in any amount of the two tautomers, or a triazole moiety for example can exist as a 1H tautomer, a 2H tautomer, or a 4H tautomer, or even a mixture in any amount of said 1H, 2H and 4H tautomers, viz.:

The present invention includes all possible tautomers of the compounds of the present invention as single tautomers, or as any mixture of said tautomers, in any ratio.

Further, the compounds of the present invention can exist as N-oxides, which are defined in that at least one nitrogen of the compounds of the present invention is oxidised. The present invention includes all such possible N-oxides.

The present invention also relates to useful forms of the compounds as disclosed herein, such as metabolites, hydrates, solvates, prodrugs, salts, in particular pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and co-precipitates.

The compounds of the present invention can exist as a hydrate, or as a solvate, wherein the compounds of the present invention contain polar solvents, in particular water, methanol or ethanol for example as structural element of the crystal lattice of the compounds. The amount of polar solvents, in particular water, may exist in a stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric ratio. In the case of stoichiometric solvates, e.g. a hydrate, hemi-, (semi-), mono-, sesqui-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta- etc. solvates or hydrates, respectively, are possible. The present invention includes all such hydrates or solvates.

Further, the compounds of the present invention can exist in free form, e.g. as a free base, or as a free acid, or as a zwitterion, or can exist in the form of a salt. Said salt may be any salt, either an organic or inorganic addition salt, particularly any pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic addition salt, customarily used in pharmacy.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to a relatively non-toxic, inorganic or organic acid addition salt of a compound of the present invention. For example, see S. M. Berge, et al. “Pharmaceutical Salts,” J. Pharm. Sci. 1977, 66, 1-19.

A suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compounds of the present invention may be, for example, an acid-addition salt of a compound of the present invention bearing a nitrogen atom, in a chain or in a ring, for example, which is sufficiently basic, such as an acid-addition salt with an inorganic acid, such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, sulfuric, bisulfuric, phosphoric, or nitric acid, for example, or with an organic acid, such as formic, acetic, acetoacetic, pyruvic, trifluoroacetic, propionic, butyric, hexanoic, heptanoic, undecanoic, lauric, benzoic, salicylic, 2-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)-benzoic, camphoric, cinnamic, cyclopentanepropionic, digluconic, 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic, nicotinic, pamoic, pectinic, persulfuric, 3-phenylpropionic, picric, pivalic, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, itaconic, sulfamic, trifluoromethanesulfonic, dodecylsulfuric, ethansulfonic, benzenesulfonic, para-toluenesulfonic, methansulfonic, 2-naphthalenesulfonic, naphthalinedisulfonic, camphorsulfonic acid, citric, tartaric, stearic, lactic, oxalic, malonic, succinic, malic, adipic, alginic, maleic, fumaric, D-gluconic, mandelic, ascorbic, glucoheptanoic, glycerophosphoric, aspartic, sulfosalicylic, hemisulfuric, or thiocyanic acid, for example.

Further, another suitably pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of the present invention which is sufficiently acidic, is an alkali metal salt, for example a sodium or potassium salt, an alkaline earth metal salt, for example a calcium or magnesium salt, an ammonium salt or a salt with an organic base which affords a physiologically acceptable cation, for example a salt with N-methyl-glucamine, dimethyl-glucamine, ethyl-glucamine, lysine, dicyclohexylamine, 1,6-hexadiamine, ethanolamine, glucosamine, sarcosine, serinol, tris-hydroxy-methyl-aminomethane, aminopropandiol, sovak-base, 1-amino-2,3,4-butantriol. Additionally, basic nitrogen containing groups may be quaternised with such agents as lower alkyl halides such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl chlorides, bromides and iodides; dialkyl sulfates like dimethyl, diethyl, and dibutyl sulfate; and diamyl sulfates, long chain halides such as decyl, lauryl, myristyl and strearyl chlorides, bromides and iodides, aralkyl halides like benzyl and phenethyl bromides and others.

Those skilled in the art will further recognise that acid addition salts of the claimed compounds may be prepared by reaction of the compounds with the appropriate inorganic or organic acid via any of a number of known methods. Alternatively, alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of acidic compounds of the invention are prepared by reacting the compounds of the invention with the appropriate base via a variety of known methods.

The present invention includes all possible salts of the compounds of the present invention as single salts, or as any mixture of said salts, in any ratio.

As used herein, the term “in vivo hydrolysable ester” is understood as meaning an in vivo hydrolysable ester of a compound of the present invention containing a carboxy or hydroxy group, for example, a pharmaceutically acceptable ester which is hydrolysed in the human or animal body to produce the parent acid or alcohol. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable esters for carboxy include for example alkyl, cycloalkyl and optionally substituted phenylalkyl, in particular benzyl esters, C₁-C₆ alkoxymethyl esters, e.g. methoxymethyl, C₁-C₆ alkanoyloxymethyl esters, e.g. pivaloyloxymethyl, phthalidyl esters, C₃-C₈ cycloalkoxy-carbonyloxy-C₁-C₆ alkyl esters, e.g. 1-cyclohexylcarbonyloxyethyl; 1,3-dioxolen-2-onylmethyl esters, e.g. 5-methyl-1,3-dioxolen-2-onylmethyl; and C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyloxyethyl esters, e.g. 1-methoxycarbonyloxyethyl, and may be formed at any carboxy group in the compounds of this invention.

An in vivo hydrolysable ester of a compound of the present invention containing a hydroxy group includes inorganic esters such as phosphate esters and [alpha]-acyloxyalkyl ethers and related compounds which as a result of the in vivo hydrolysis of the ester breakdown to give the parent hydroxy group. Examples of [alpha]-acyloxyalkyl ethers include acetoxymethoxy and 2,2-dimethylpropionyloxymethoxy. A selection of in vivo hydrolysable ester forming groups for hydroxy include alkanoyl, benzoyl, phenylacetyl and substituted benzoyl and phenylacetyl, alkoxycarbonyl (to give alkyl carbonate esters), dialkylcarbamoyl and N-(dialkylaminoethyl)-N-alkylcarbamoyl (to give carbamates), dialkylaminoacetyl and carboxyacetyl. The present invention covers all such esters.

Furthermore, the present invention includes all possible crystalline forms, or polymorphs, of the compounds of the present invention, either as single polymorphs, or as a mixture of more than one polymorphs, in any ratio.

In accordance with a second aspect, the present invention covers compounds of general formula (I), supra, in which:

-   X represents an —SR⁵, —S(═O)R⁵, —S(═O)₂R⁵, —S(═O)(═NR^(5a))R^(5b),     or —S(═O)₂N(R^(5b))R^(5c) group; -   R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN,     C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-,     HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸,     —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, or —N(R^(8a))R^(8b) group; -   R² represents a —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)R⁸,     —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b),     —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸,     —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b) group; or     a group selected from:

-   -   (in which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with         the rest of the molecule);

-   R^(3a), R^(3b)     -   represent, independently from one another, a hydrogen atom or a         halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl),         aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN,         C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-,         C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, heteroaryl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸,         —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂,         —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂,         —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b),         —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸,         —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b),         —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b),         —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸,         —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸,         —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b)         group;     -   said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,         aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a         3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-,         C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-,         heteroaryl,     -   being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with         1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups;

-   R^(4a), e, R^(4c), R^(4d)     -   represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen or halogen         atom, or a —CN, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R^(8a)(R^(8b))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸,         —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂,         —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b),         —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸,         —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b),         —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b),         —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸,         —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸,         —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b)         group;

-   or

-   R^(4c), together with R², forms an *N(R⁶)—N═C*—NH₂ group, (in     which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with the     rest of the molecule);

-   R⁵, R^(5b), R^(5c),     -   represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a         C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl),         aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN,         C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-,         heteroaryl group;     -   said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl),         aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN,         C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-,         heteroaryl,     -   being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with         1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups;

-   R^(5a) represents a hydrogen atom or a —C(═O)—C₁-C₆-alkyl, or     —C(═O)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group;     -   said C₁-C₆-alkyl being optionally substituted, identically or         differently, with one or more halogen atom;

-   R⁶, R^(6a)     -   represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom or a         C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group,

-   R⁷ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a —CN,     halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸,     —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂,     —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)OR^(8a),     —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OR⁸,     —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸,     —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸,     —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b) group;

-   R⁸, R^(8a), R^(8b),     -   represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a         C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, 3- to 7-membered         heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, or         heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl- group;

-   m is an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10;

-   or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, an N-oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, or     a salt thereof, or a mixture of same.

In accordance with a third aspect, the present invention covers compounds of general formula (I), supra, in which:

-   X represents an —SR⁵, —S(═O)R⁵, —S(═O)₂R⁵, —S(═O)(═NR^(5a))R^(5b),     or —S(═O)₂N(R^(5b))R^(5c) group; -   R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN,     C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-,     HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸,     —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶ or —N(R^(8a))R^(8b) group; -   R² represents a —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)R⁸,     —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b),     —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸,     —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b) group; or     a group selected from:

-   -   (in which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with         the rest of the molecule);

-   R^(3a), R^(3b)     -   represent, independently from one another, a hydrogen atom or a         halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl),         aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN,         C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-,         C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, heteroaryl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸,         —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂,         —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂,         —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b),         —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸,         —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b),         —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b),         —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸,         —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸,         —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b)         group;     -   said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,         aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a         3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-,         C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-,         heteroaryl, being optionally substituted, identically or         differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups;

-   R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d)     -   represent a hydrogen atom

-   or

-   R^(4c), together with R², forms an *N(R⁶)—N═C*—NH₂ group, (in     which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with the     rest of the molecule);

-   R⁵, R^(5b), R^(5c),     -   represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a         C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl),         aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN,         C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-,         heteroaryl group;     -   said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,         —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl),         aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN,         C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl,         C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-,         heteroaryl,     -   being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with         1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups;

-   R^(5a) represents a hydrogen atom or a —C(═O)—C₁-C₆-alkyl, or     —C(═O)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group;     -   said C₁-C₆-alkyl being optionally substituted, identically or         differently, with one or more halogen atom;

-   R⁶, R^(6a)     -   represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom or a         C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group;

-   R⁷ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a —CN,     halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸,     —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂,     —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b),     —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)OR^(8a), —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸,     —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸,     —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸,     —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b) group;

-   R⁸, R^(8a), R^(8b),     -   represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a         C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, 3- to 7-membered         heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, or         heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl- group;

-   m is an integer of 1, 2 or 3;     or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, an N-oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, or     a salt thereof, or a mixture of same.

In accordance with a fourth aspect, the present invention covers compounds of general formula (I), supra, in which:

-   X represents an —SR⁵, —S(═O)R⁵, —S(═O)₂R⁵, —S(═O)(═NR^(5a))R^(5b),     or —S(═O)₂N(R^(5b))R^(5c) group; -   R¹ represents a hydrogen atom; -   R² represents a —C(═O)N(H)R⁸ group;     -   or an

group,

-   -   (in which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with         the rest of the molecule);

-   R^(3a) represents a hydrogen atom;

-   R^(3b) represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a     C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, or     heteroaryl group;     -   said C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl- or         heteroaryl, being optionally substituted, identically or         differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups;

-   R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d)     -   represent a hydrogen atom,

-   or

-   R^(4c), together with R², forms an *N(R⁶)—N═C*—NH₂ group, (in     which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with the     rest of the molecule);

-   R⁵, R^(5b), R^(5c),     -   represent, independently from each other, a C₁-C₆-alkyl-,         —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl),         heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl- group;     -   said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered         heterocycloalkyl), heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,     -   being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with         1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups;

-   R^(5a) represents a hydrogen atom or a —C(═O)—C₁-C₆-alkyl, or     —C(═O)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group;     -   said C₁-C₆-alkyl being optionally substituted, identically or         differently, with one or more halogen atom;

-   R⁶, R^(6a)     -   represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom or a         C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group;

-   R⁷ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,     C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)R⁸,     —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)OR^(8a), —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸,     —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b) group;

-   R⁸, R^(8a), R^(8b),     -   represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a         C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group;

-   m is an integer of 1;     or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, an N-oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, or     a salt thereof, or a mixture of same.

In an embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein:

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein X represents an —SR⁵, —S(═O)R⁵, —S(═O)₂R⁵, —S(═O)(═NR^(5a))R^(5b), or —S(═O)₂N(R^(5b))R^(5c) group.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R² represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, or C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group;

or a group selected from:

(in which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with the rest of the molecule).

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R^(3a), R^(3b) represent, independently from one another, a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, heteroaryl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group;

said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, heteroaryl, being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a —CN, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R^(8a)(R^(8b))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, H O—C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group;

-   or -   R^(4c), together with R², forms an *N(R⁶)—N═C*—NH₂ group, (in     which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with the     rest of the molecule).

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R⁵, R^(5b), R^(5c), represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, heteroaryl group;

said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, heteroaryl, being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R^(5a) represents a hydrogen atom or a —C(═O)—C₁-C₆-alkyl, or —C(═O)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group;

said C₁-C₆-alkyl being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with one or more halogen atom.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R⁶, R^(6a) represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R⁷ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a —CN, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R^(8a)(R^(8b))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R⁸, R^(8a), R^(8b), represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, or heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl- group.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein m is an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, or —N(R^(8a))R^(8b) group.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R² represents a —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, or —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b) group or a group selected from:

(in which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with the rest of the molecule).

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R^(3a), R^(3b) represent, independently from one another, a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, heteroaryl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group;

said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, heteroaryl, being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a —CN, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R^(8a)(R^(8b))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group;

-   or -   R^(4c), together with R², forms an *N(R⁶)—N═C*—NH₂ group, (in     which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with the     rest of the molecule).

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R⁵, R^(5b), R^(5c), represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, heteroaryl;

said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, heteroaryl, being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R^(ya) represents a hydrogen atom or a —C(═O)—C₁-C₆-alkyl, or —C(═O)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group;

said C₁-C₆-alkyl being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with one or more halogen atom.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R⁶, R^(6a) represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R⁷ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a —CN, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)OR^(8a), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(—O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, or —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b) group.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R⁸, R^(8a), R^(8b), R^(8b) represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, or heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl- group.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) represent a hydrogen atom,

or

R^(4c), together with R², forms an *N(R⁶)—N═C*—NH₂ group, (in which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with the rest of the molecule).

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R¹ represents a hydrogen atom.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R² represents a

—C(═O)N(H)R⁸ group;

or an

group,

-   -   (in which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with         the rest of the molecule).

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R^(3a) represents a hydrogen atom.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R^(3b) represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, or heteroaryl group;

said C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl- or heteroaryl group being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) represent a hydrogen atom,

or

R^(4c), together with R², forms an *N(R⁶)—N═C*—NH₂ group, (in which * indicates the point of attachment of said group with the rest of the molecule).

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R⁵, R^(5b), R^(5c), represent, independently from each other, a C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl- group;

said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-,

being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R^(5a) represents a hydrogen atom or a —C(═O)—C₁-C₆-alkyl, or —C(═O)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group;

said C₁-C₆-alkyl being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with one or more halogen atom.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R⁶, R^(6a) represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R⁷ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)OR^(8a), —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, or —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b) group.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R⁸, R^(8a), R^(8b), represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein m is an integer of 1, 2 or 3.

In a further embodiment of the above-mentioned aspects, the invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein m is an integer of 1.

It is to be understood that the present invention relates to any sub-combination within any embodiment of the present invention of compounds of general formula (I), supra.

More particularly still, the present invention covers compounds of general formula (I) which are disclosed in the Example section of this text, infra.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention covers methods of preparing compounds of the present invention, said methods comprising the steps as described in the Experimental Section herein.

In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention covers intermediate compounds which are useful in the preparation of compounds of the present invention of general formula (I), particularly in the method described herein. In particular, the present invention covers:

a) compounds of general formula (VIII):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) are as defined for the compound of general formula (I) of the present invention as defined in the claims, or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, an N-oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, or a salt thereof, or a mixture of same; and b) compounds of general formula (VII):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) are as defined for the compound of general formula (I) of the present invention as defined in the claims.

In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention covers the use of the intermediate compounds of general formula (VIII):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) are as defined for the compound of general formula (I) of the present invention as defined in the claims, for the preparation of a compound of general formula (Ia):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d), R^(5b) and R^(5c) are as defined for the compound of general formula (I) of the present invention as defined in the claims.

In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention covers the use of the intermediate compounds of general formula (VII):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) are as defined for the compound of general formula (I) of the present invention as defined in the claims, for the preparation of compounds of general formula (Ib):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d), and R⁵ are as defined for the compound of general formula (I) of the present invention as defined in the claims.

EXPERIMENTAL SECTION

The following Table lists the abbreviations used in this paragraph, and in the Examples section. NMR peak forms are stated as they appear in the spectra, possible higher order effects have not been considered.

Abbreviation Meaning Boc tert-butyloxycarbonyl c- Cyclo- DCM Dichloromethane DMSO Dimethyl sulfoxide NMR nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy: chemical shifts (δ) are given in ppm. Rt Room temperature r.t. Room temperature

The schemes and procedures described below illustrate general synthetic routes to the compounds of general formula (I) of the invention and are not intended to be limiting. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the order of transformations as exemplified in the Schemes can be modified in various ways. The order of transformations exemplified in the Schemes is therefore not intended to be limiting. In addition, interconversion of any of the substituents, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ or R⁸ can be achieved before and/or after the exemplified transformations. These modifications can be such as the introduction of protecting groups, cleavage of protecting groups, reduction or oxidation of functional groups, halogenation, metallation, substitution or other reactions known to the person skilled in the art. These transformations include those which introduce a functionality which allows for further interconversion of substituents. Appropriate protecting groups and their introduction and cleavage are well-known to the person skilled in the art (see for example T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts in Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 3^(rd) edition, Wiley 1999). Specific examples are described in the subsequent paragraphs.

A first reaction scheme is outlined infra:

Synthesis of Compounds of General Formula (I) of the Present Invention

Scheme 1

Compounds of general formula I can be synthesized according to the procedure depicted in Scheme 1.

Intermediates of II and V may be commercially available or can be synthesized according to procedures known to persons skilled in the art. Y represents a leaving group, which is understandable to the person skilled in the art and which may include, for example, a halogen atom. Said leaving group in position 8 of the compound of formula (II) can be substituted by methanethiolate in an inert solvent like an alcohol to give methylsulfanyl compounds of general formula III or VI, respectively. Halogenation at the five membered ring to yield compounds of general formula IV is achieved by using halogenation reagents like N-iodosuccinimide, or N-bromosuccinimide or N-chlorosuccinimide, for example, in an inert solvent like N,N-dimethylformamide or 1-methylpyrrolidin-2-one, for example, at temperatures ranging from room temperature to the boiling point of the solvent, for example.

Compounds of general formula VI can also be obtained from compounds of general formula IV via a coupling reaction for example, using arylboronic acids or arylboronic esters for example, using a suitable catalyst, such as a palladium catalyst for example, optionally in the presence of a suitable base like potassium carbonate for example, in an inert solvent like tetrahydrofuran for example.

Examples of such coupling reactions may be found in the textbook entitled “Metal-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions”, Armin de Meijere (Editor), Francois Diederich (Editor) September 2004, Wiley Interscience ISBN: 978-3-527-30518-6.

Compounds of general formula Ia can be obtained in a two step sequence starting from compounds of general formula V which are subjected to a halogen metal exchange reaction followed by subsequent reaction with SO₂Cl₂ to give intermediate compounds of general formula VIII that can be converted by reaction with suitable amines to sulfonamides of general formula Ia.

Compounds of general formula Ib can be obtained in a two step sequence starting from compounds of general formula VI which are oxidized to the methylsulfones of general formula VII using oxidation reagents like 3-chlorobenzenecarboperoxoic acid or dimethyldioxirane in inert solvents like dichloromethane or acetone, respectively. The methylsulfone can be substituted by thiolates in an inert solvent like an alcohol to give compounds of general formula Ib.

Compounds of general formula Id can be obtained by oxidation of compounds of general formula Ib as described for compounds of general formula VII.

Compounds of general formula Ie can be obtained by oxidation of compounds of general formula Ib or Id as described for compounds of general formula VII.

Depending on the stoichiometric ratio of oxidation reagent to compounds of general formula Ib mixtures of compounds of general formulae Id and Ie can be obtained in one reaction.

Compounds of general formula Ic can be obtained from compounds of general formula Ib by reaction with acetamides in the presence of lewis acids like magnesium oxide, for example, an oxidizing agent like diacetoxy(phenyl)-13-iodane for example, and a suitable catalyst like rhodium(II)diacetate for example, in an inert solvent like dichloromethane, for example.

In an embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of preparing compounds of general formula (Ia):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d), R^(5b) and R^(5c) are as defined for the compound of general formula (I) of the present invention as defined in the claims, in which method an intermediate compound of general formula (VIII):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) are as defined for the compound of general formula (I) of the present invention as defined in the claims, is allowed to react with an amine of general formula (VIIIa):

in which R^(5b) and R^(5c) are as defined for the compound of general formula (I) of the present invention as defined in the claims, thus providing a compound of general formula (Ia).

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of preparing compounds of general formula (Ib):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d), and R⁵ are as defined for the compound of general formula (I) of the present invention as defined in the claims, in which method an intermediate methyl sulphone compound of general formula (VII):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) are as defined for the compound of general formula (I) of the present invention as defined in the claims, is allowed to react with a thiol of general formula (VIIa), which is deprotonated:

in which R⁵ is as defined for the compound of general formula (I) of the present invention as defined in the claims.

The compounds and intermediates produced according to the methods of the invention may require purification. Purification of organic compounds is well known to the person skilled in the art and there may be several ways of purifying the same compound. In some cases, no purification may be necessary. In some cases, the compounds may be purified by crystallisation. In some cases, impurities may be stirred out using a suitable solvent. In some cases, the compounds may be purified by chromatography, particularly flash chromatography, using for example pre-packed silica gel cartridges, e.g. from Separtis such as Isolute® Flash silica gel (silica gel chromatography) or Isolute® Flash NH2 silica gel (aminophase-silica-gel chromatography) in combination with a suitable chromatographic system such as a Flashmaste(Separtis) or an Isolera system (Biotage) and eluents such as, for example, gradients of hexane/ethyl acetate or DCM/methanol. In some cases, the compounds may be purified by preparative HPLC using, for example, a Waters autopurifier equipped with a diode array detector and/or on-line electrospray ionisation mass spectrometer in combination with a suitable pre-packed reverse phase column and eluants such as, for example, gradients of water and acetonitrile which may contain additives such as trifluoroacetic acid, formic acid or aqueous ammonia.

Names of compounds were generated using ACD/Name Batch ver. 12.00 or ACD/Name Batch ver. 12.01. Names of compounds in table format were generated using ACD/Name Batch ver. 12.00.

The invention disclosed herein is exemplified by the following preparations and examples which should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

General: All reactions were run under an atmosphere of argon in degassed solvents unless stated otherwise.

SYNTHESIS OF INTERMEDIATE EXAMPLES Intermediate Example 1 6-Bromo-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

A mixture of 61.0 g (220 mmol) 6,8-dibromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine (CAS 63744-22-9), 610 mL methanol and 30.2 g sodium methanethiolate was stirred at 23° C. for 16 hours, poured into 6 L water and cooled until a precipitate had formed. The product was filtered off and dried at 60° C. to give 38.5 g (72%) of the title compound which was used without further purification.

Intermediate Example 2 6-Bromo-3-iodo-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

To a solution of 5.23 g (21.4 mmol) 6-Bromo-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine which was prepared according to Intermediate Example 1, supra, in 142 mL N,N-dimethylformamide were added 5.06 g N-iodosuccinimide and the mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 6.5 hours. Most of the solvent was removed under reduced pressure, water was added and the residue extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase was washed with water, aqueous sodium thiosulfate and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration and removal of the solvent 7.61 g (96%) of the title compound were isolated that were used without further purification.

Example 1 4-[6-Bromo-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]-N-cyclopropylbenzamide

A mixture of 7.61 g (20.6 mmol) 6-Bromo-3-iodo-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine which was prepared according to Intermediate Example 2, supra, 5.48 g [4-(cyclopropylcarbamoyl)phenyl]boronic acid, 1.68 g dichloro[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]palladium dichloromethane adduct, 13.1 g tripotassium tetraoxophosphate was dissolved in 65 mL tetrahydrofuran and 35 mL water and stirred at 40° C. for 16 hours. Most of the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with brine and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration and removal of solvent the residue was subjected to a column chromatography on silica gel to give 4.88 g (59%) of the title compound along with starting material.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 2.70 (3H), 2.95 (1H), 6.32 (1H), 7.60 (2H), 7.77 (1H), 7.92 (2H), 8.07 (1H) ppm.

Example 2 N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide)

A mixture of 0.64 g (1.59 mmol) 4-[6-Bromo-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]-N-cyclopropylbenzamide which was prepared according to example 1, 387 mg phenylboronic acid, 23 mL n-propanol, 4.5 mL 1-methyl-2pyrrolidone, 2.4 mL of an aqueous 2M potassium carbonate solution, 20.8 mg triphenylphosphine, and 111 mg bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium was stirred at 120° C. for 2 hours. The solution was cooled, water added, and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration and removal of solvent the residue was subjected to a column chromatography on silica gel to give 520 g (82%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.93 (2H), 2.81 (3H), 2.96 (1H), 6.32 (1H), 7.37-7.51 (3H), 7.66 (2H), 7.78 (1H), 7.91-7.98 (4H), 8.31 (1H) ppm.

Example 3 N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide (compound Example 3A) and (RS)—N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfinyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide (compound Example 3B)

To a suspension of 610 mg (1.52 mmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 2 and 10 mL dichloromethane were added 864 mg 3-chlorobenzenecarboperoxoic acid in portions and the mixture was stirred for an additional hour at 23° C. The solvent was removed, ethyl acetate and methanol were added and the organic phase was washed with water, aqueous sodium thiosulfate, sodium hydrogencarbonate solution and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration and removal of solvent the residue was subjected to a column chromatography on silica gel to give 475 mg (72%) of the title compound Example 3A and 64 mg (10%) of the title compound Example 3B.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 3A: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.94 (2H), 2.97 (1H), 3.64 (3H), 6.37 (1H), 7.42-7.54 (3H), 7.68 (2H), 7.89 (2H), 7.99 (2H), 8.09 (1H), 8.70 (1H) ppm.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 3B: δ=0.67 (2H), 0.90 (2H), 2.94 (1H), 3.23 (3H), 6.74 (1H), 7.38-7.49 (3H), 7.65 (2H), 7.92 (1H), 7.96 (2H), 7.98 (2H), 8.60 (1H) ppm.

Example 4 N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(ethylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide

To a solution of 40 mg (92 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 in 1.6 mL tetrahydrofuran were added 29 mg sodium ethanethiolate and the mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 16 hours. Water was added, the mixture extracted with dichloromethane and the organic phase dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration and removal of solvent the residue was subjected to a chromatography on silica gel plates to give 28.5 mg (71%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 1.53 (3H), 2.95 (1H), 3.46 (2H), 6.42 (1H), 7.38-7.49 (3H), 7.65 (2H), 7.76 (1H), 7.92 (2H), 7.94 (2H), 8.29 (1H) ppm.

Example 5 (RS) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(ethylsulfinyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide (compound Example 5A) and N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(ethylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide (compound Example 5B)

A solution of 17.5 mg (42 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(ethylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 4 in 2.0 mL dichloromethane was cooled to −30° C. and 0.42 mL of a 0.15 molar dimethyldioxirane solution in acetone were added. After 15 minutes of stirring the mixture was warmed to 23° C., the solvent removed and the residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel plates to give 13.6 mg (47%) of title compound Example 5A and 8.6 mg (29%) of title compound Example 5B.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 5A: δ=0.70 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 1.44 (3H), 2.97 (1H), 3.46 (1H), 3.56 (1H), 6.61 (1H), 7.38-7.50 (3H), 7.64 (2H), 7.90 (1H), 7.96 (2H), 7.99 (2H), 8.57 (1H) ppm.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 5B: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.93 (2H), 1.55 (3H), 2.96 (1H), 3.89 (2H), 6.46 (1H), 7.42-7.53 (4H), 7.65 (2H), 7.89 (2H), 7.99 (2H), 8.06 (1H) ppm.

Example 6 N-Cyclopropyl-4-[6-phenyl-8-(propylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide

40 mg (92 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 were transformed in analogy to example 4 using sodium propane-1-thiolate to give after working up and purification 27.4 mg (66%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 1.13 (3H), 1.91 (2H), 2.95 (1H), 3.43 (2H), 6.44 (1H), 7.36-7.51 (3H), 7.64 (2H), 7.76 (1H), 7.91 (2H), 7.94 (2H), 8.29 (1H) ppm.

Example 7 (RS) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[6-phenyl-8-(propylsulfinyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide (compound Example 7A) and N-Cyclopropyl-4-[6-phenyl-8-(propylsulfonyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide (compound Example 7B)

23.4 mg (55 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[6-phenyl-8-(propylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 6 were transformed in analogy to example 5 to give after purification 13.2 mg (52%) of title compound Example 7A and 7.9 mg (31%) of title compound Example 7B.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 7A: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.91 (2H), 1.13 (3H), 1.88 (1H), 2.05 (1H), 2.97 (1H), 3.33-3.51 (2H), 6.69 (1H), 7.38-7.49 (3H), 7.61 (2H), 7.89 (1H), 7.95 (2H), 7.99 (2H), 8.56 (1H) ppm.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 7B: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.93 (2H), 1.14 (3H), 2.05 (2H), 2.97 (1H), 3.83 (2H), 6.39 (1H), 7.43-7.53 (3H), 7.67 (2H), 7.90 (2H), 7.99 (2H), 8.07 (1H), 8.69 (1H) ppm.

Example 8 4-[8-(Butylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]-N-cyclopropylbenzamide

40 mg (92 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 were transformed in analogy to example 4 using sodium butane-1-thiolate to give after working up and purification 25.6 mg (59%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 0.99 (3H), 1.57 (2H), 1.87 (2H), 2.95 (1H), 3.46 (2H), 6.38 (1H), 7.37-7.51 (3H), 7.65 (2H), 7.77 (1H), 7.89-7.97 (4H), 8.29 (1H) ppm.

Example 9 (RS) 4-[8-(Butylsulfinyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]-N-cyclopropylbenzamide (compound Example 9A) and 4-[8-(Butylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]-N-cyclopropylbenzamide (compound Example 9B)

21.3 mg (48 μmol) 4-[8-(Butylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]-N-cyclopropylbenzamide which was prepared according to example 8 were transformed in analogy to example 5 to give after purification 11.8 mg (51%) of title compound Example 9A and 6.5 mg (27%) of title compound Example 9B.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 9A: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.90 (2H), 0.95 (3H), 1.54 (2H), 1.81 (1H), 1.99 (1H), 2.97 (1H), 3.40 (1H), 3.50 (1H), 6.66 (1H), 7.39-7.49 (3H), 7.63 (2H), 7.90 (1H), 7.95 (2H), 7.98 (2H), 8.56 (1H) ppm.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 9B: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 0.97 (3H), 1.54 (2H), 1.98 (2H), 2.96 (1H), 3.85 (2H), 6.40 (1H), 7.43-7.53 (3H), 7.66 (2H), 7.90 (2H), 7.98 (2H), 8.07 (1H), 8.69 (1H) ppm.

Example 10 N-Cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(3,3-dimethylbutyl)sulfanyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide

40 mg (92 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 were transformed in analogy to example 4 using sodium 2,2-dimethylpropane-1-thiolate to give after working up and purification 16.0 mg (35%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.66 (2H), 0.89 (2H), 1.01 (9H), 1.75 (2H), 2.92 (1H), 3.40 (2H), 7.36-7.48 (3H), 7.63 (2H), 6.68 (1H), 7.73 (1H), 7.89-7.96 (4H), 8.28 (1H) ppm.

Example 11 (RS) N-Cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(3,3-dimethylbutyl)sulfinyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide (compound Example 11A) and N-Cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(3,3-dimethylbutyl)sulfonyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide (compound Example 11B)

12.5 mg (27 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(3,3-dimethylbutyl)sulfanyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide which was prepared according to example 10 were transformed in analogy to example 5 to give after purification 4.9 mg (36%) of title compound 11A and 5.5 mg (39%) of title compound 11B.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 11A: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.88-0.97 (11H), 1.70 (1H), 1.88 (1H), 2.97 (1H), 3.41 (1H), 3.53 (1H), 6.48 (1H), 7.41-7.51 (3H), 7.67 (2H), 7.93 (1H), 7.98 (4H), 8.60 (1H) ppm.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 11B: δ=0.68 (2H), 0.93 (2H), 0.96 (9H), 1.86 (2H), 2.97 (1H), 3.86 (2H), 6.41 (1H), 7.43-7.53 (3H), 7.67 (2H), 7.90 (2H), 7.99 (2H), 8.07 (1H), 8.70 (1H) ppm.

Example 12 (RS) N-Cyclopropyl-4-{6-phenyl-8-[(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)sulfanyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide

40 mg (92 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 were transformed in analogy to example 4 using (RS) sodium tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethanethiolate to give after working up and purification 31.6 mg (69%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 1.76-2.06 (3H), 2.13 (1H), 2.95 (1H), 3.54 (1H), 3.76-3.87 (2H), 3.98 (1H), 4.35 (1H), 6.42 (1H), 7.36-7.52 (3H), 7.64 (2H), 7.77 (1H), 7.91 (2H), 7.94 (2H), 8.30 (1H) ppm.

Example 13 (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-{6-phenyl-8-[(2RS)-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)sulfinyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide (compound Example 13A) and (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-{6-phenyl-8-[(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)sulfonyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide (compound Example 13B)

26.6 mg (57 μmol) (RS) N-Cyclopropyl-4-{6-phenyl-8-[(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)sulfanyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide which was prepared according to example 12 were transformed in analogy to example 5 to give after purification 10.9 mg (38%) of title compound 13A and 10.2 mg (34%) of title compound 13B.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 13A: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 1.72 (1H), 1.97 (2H), 2.18 (1H), 2.96 (1H), 3.44-4.03 (4H), 4.46+4.58 (1H), 6.61+6.63 (1H), 7.39-7.49 (3H), 7.62+7.64 (2H), 7.89+7.90 (1H), 7.95 (2H), 7.98 (2H), 8.56 (1H) ppm.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 13B: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 1.79-1.98 (3H), 2.22 (1H), 2.96 (1H), 3.61 (2H), 3.79 (1H), 4.44 (1H), 4.56 (1H), 6.48 (1H), 7.40-7.51 (3H), 7.65 (2H), 7.91 (2H), 7.98 (2H), 8.03 (1H), 8.67 (1H) ppm.

Example 14 4-[6-bromo-8-(methylsulfonyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]-N-cyclopropylbenzamide

480 mg (1.19 mmol) 4-[6-Bromo-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]-N-cyclopropylbenzamide which was prepared according to example 1 were transformed in analogy to example 3 to give after working up and purification 325 mg (60%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ=0.57 (2H), 0.69 (2H), 2.86 (1H), 3.62 (3H), 7.85 (2H), 7.99 (2H), 8.34 (1H), 8.56 (1H), 9.06 (1H) ppm.

Example 15 (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[S-methyl-N-(trifluoroacetyl)sulfonimidoyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide

To a solution of 114 mg (274 μmol) (RS)—N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfinyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 in 3 mL dichloromethane were added 68 mg 2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide, 48.5 mg oxomagnesium, and 145 mg diacetoxy(phenyl)-13-iodane. After the mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 5 minutes, 12.1 mg rhodium(II)diacetate were added and stirring continued for 15 hours. Again, 12.1 mg rhodium(II)diacetate were added and stirring continued for additional 24 hours. After filtration the solvent was removed and the residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel plates to give 22.8 mg (16%) of the title compound along with starting material.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.68 (2H), 0.93 (2H), 2.96 (1H), 3.93 (3H), 6.36 (1H), 7.44-7.54 (3H), 7.69 (2H), 7.88 (2H), 8.00 (2H), 8.08 (1H), 8.74 (1H) ppm.

Example 16 tert-butyl [2-({3-[4-(cyclopropylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-8-yl}sulfanyl)ethyl]carbamate

234 μL tert-butyl (2-sulfanylethyl)carbamate were added to a suspension of 55.5 mg sodium hydride (60% in white oil) in 2.5 mL tetrahydrofuran at 23° C. After 5 minutes of stirring, a solution of 100 mg (231 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 in 1.5 mL tetrahydrofurane were added and stirring was continued for four hours. Water was added and the mixture extracted with dichloromethane and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration and solvent removal the residue was purified by chromatography to give 87.3 mg (71%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 1.41 (9H), 2.96 (1H), 3.61 (4H), 5.21 (1H), 6.35 (1H), 7.37-7.52 (3H), 7.65 (2H), 7.79 (1H), 7.90 (2H), 7.94 (2H), 8.31 (1H) ppm.

Example 17 N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(pentylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide

50 mg (116 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 were transformed in analogy to example 4 using sodium pentane-1-thiolate to give after working up and purification 32 mg (61%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.86-0.98 (5H), 1.40 (2H), 1.53 (2H), 1.88 (2H), 2.95 (1H), 3.44 (2H), 6.40 (1H), 7.35-7.51 (3H), 7.65 (2H), 7.76 (1H), 7.91 (2H), 7.94 (2H), 8.29 (1H) ppm.

Example 18 (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(pentylsulfinyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide (compound Example 18A) and N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(pentylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide (compound Example 18B)

26.8 mg (59 μmol) N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(pentylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 17 were transformed in analogy to example 5 to give after purification 0.4 mg (1%) of title compound Example 18A and 23 mg (77%) of title compound Example 18B.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 18A: δ=0.68 (2H), 0.90 (3H), 0.93 (2H), 1.32-1.55 (4H), 1.86 (1H), 2.04 (1H), 2.97 (1H), 3.41 (1H), 3.50 (1H), 6.32 (1H), 7.42-7.52 (3H), 7.70 (2H), 7.95 (1H), 7.98 (2H), 8.01 (2H), 8.61 (1H) ppm.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 18B: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.90 (3H), 0.92 (2H), 1.29-1.55 (4H), 2.00 (2H), 2.96 (1H), 3.84 (2H), 6.47 (1H), 7.41-7.52 (3H), 7.64 (2H), 7.88 (2H), 7.99 (2H), 8.05 (1H), 8.68 (1H) ppm.

Example 19 N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(isopropylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide

50 mg (116 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 were transformed in analogy to example 4 using sodium propane-2-thiolate to give after working up and purification 32 mg (64%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 1.58 (6H), 2.95 (1H), 4.38 (1H), 6.40 (1H), 7.36-7.51 (3H), 7.65 (2H), 7.76 (1H), 7.91 (2H), 7.94 (2H), 8.29 (1H) ppm.

Example 20 (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(isopropylsulfinyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide (compound Example 20A) and N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(isopropylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide (compound Example 20B)

29.7 mg (69 μmol) N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(isopropylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 19 were transformed in analogy to example 5 to give after purification 1.6 mg (5%) of title compound Example 20A and 23.8 mg (71%) of title compound Example 20B.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 20A: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.94 (2H), 1.31 (3H), 1.51 (3H), 2.97 (1H), 3.93 (1H), 6.38 (1H), 7.41-7.52 (3H), 7.69 (2H), 7.94 (1H), 7.98 (2H), 8.00 (2H), 8.60 (1H) ppm.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 20B: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 1.52 (6H), 2.96 (1H), 4.44 (1H), 6.47 (1H), 7.40-7.51 (3H), 7.64 (2H), 7.90 (2H), 7.99 (2H), 8.03 (1H), 8.68 (1H) ppm.

Example 21 N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(isobutylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide

50 mg (116 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 were transformed in analogy to example 4 using sodium 2-methylpropane-1-thiolate to give after working up and purification 38 mg (74%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.91 (2H), 1.13 (6H), 2.15 (1H), 2.95 (1H), 3.36 (2H), 6.45 (1H), 7.36-7.51 (3H), 7.64 (2H), 7.76 (1H), 7.91 (2H), 7.94 (2H), 8.28 (1H) ppm.

Example 22 (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(isobutylsulfinyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide (compound Example 22A) and N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(isobutylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide (compound Example 22B)

35.2 mg (80 μmol) N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(isobutylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 21 were transformed in analogy to example 5 to give after purification 2.8 mg (8%) of title compound Example 22A and 26.1 mg (66%) of title compound Example 22B.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 22A: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.94 (2H), 1.14 (3H), 1.32 (3H), 2.50 (1H), 2.97 (1H), 3.26-3.34 (2H), 6.42 (1H), 7.41-7.51 (3H), 7.67 (2H), 7.94 (1H), 7.96-8.01 (4H), 8.59 (1H) ppm.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 22B: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 1.18 (6H), 2.54 (1H), 2.96 (1H), 3.75 (2H), 6.51 (1H), 7.39-7.51 (3H), 7.63 (2H), 7.88 (2H), 7.98 (2H), 8.03 (1H), 8.66 (1H) ppm.

Example 23 N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(3-methylbutyl)sulfanyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide

50 mg (116 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 were transformed in analogy to example 4 using sodium 3-methylbutane-1-thiolate to give after working up and purification 36 mg (68%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 1.00 (6H), 1.72-1.93 (3H), 2.95 (1H), 3.45 (2H), 6.41 (1H), 7.36-7.50 (3H), 7.65 (2H), 7.76 (1H), 7.88-7.98 (4H), 8.29 (1H) ppm.

Example 24 (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(3-methylbutyl)sulfinyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide (compound Example 24A) and N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(3-methylbutyl)sulfonyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide (compound Example 24B)

30.4 mg (67 μmol) N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(3-methylbutyl)sulfanyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide which was prepared according to example 23 were transformed in analogy to example 5 to give after purification 5.0 mg (15%) of title compound Example 24A and 22.9 mg (67%) of title compound Example 24B.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 24A: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.89-1.00 (8H), 1.66-1.83 (2H), 1.92 (1H), 2.97 (1H), 3.41 (1H), 3.53 (1H), 6.48 (1H), 7.39-7.51 (3H), 7.66 (2H), 7.92 (1H), 7.98 (4H), 8.59 (1H) ppm.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 24B: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.93 (2H), 0.96 (6H), 1.78 (1H), 1.87 (2H), 2.96 (1H), 3.85 (2H), 6.45 (1H), 7.41-7.52 (3H), 7.65 (2H), 7.89 (2H), 7.99 (2H), 8.06 (1H), 8.69 (1H) ppm.

Example 25 N-cyclopropyl-4-{6-phenyl-8-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)sulfanyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide

50 mg (116 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 were transformed in analogy to example 4 using sodium 2,2,2-trifluoroethanethiolate to give after working up and purification 19 mg (35%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.93 (2H), 2.96 (1H), 4.27 (2H), 6.33 (1H), 7.39-7.53 (3H), 7.67 (2H), 7.84 (1H), 7.87 (2H), 7.95 (2H), 8.35 (1H) ppm.

Example 26 (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-{6-phenyl-8-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)sulfinyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide (compound Example 26A) and N-cyclopropyl-4-{6-phenyl-8-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)sulfonyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide (compound Example 26B)

7.2 mg (37 μmol) N-cyclopropyl-4-{6-phenyl-8-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)sulfanyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide which was prepared according to example 25 were transformed in analogy to example 5 to give after purification 5.4 mg (29%) of title compound Example 26A and 4.3 mg (22%) of title compound Example 26B.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 26A: δ=0.64 (2H), 0.87 (2H), 2.90 (1H), 4.07 (1H), 4.51 (1H), 7.06 (1H), 7.38-7.50 (3H), 7.66 (2H), 7.90-8.01 (5H), 8.65 (1H) ppm.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 26B: δ=0.68 (2H), 0.94 (2H), 2.97 (1H), 4.88 (2H), 6.35 (1H), 7.43-7.54 (3H), 7.69 (2H), 7.90 (2H), 8.00 (2H), 8.10 (1H), 8.73 (1H) ppm.

Example 27 N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(2-furylmethyl)sulfanyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide

50 mg (116 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 were transformed in analogy to example 4 using sodium 2-furylmethanethiolate to give after working up and purification 34 mg (63%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.91 (2H), 2.95 (1H), 4.75 (2H), 6.28 (1H), 6.33 (1H), 6.44 (1H), 7.35 (1H), 7.37-7.51 (3H), 7.63 (2H), 7.76 (1H), 7.94 (4H), 8.31 (1H) ppm.

Example 28 (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(2-furylmethyl)sulfinyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide (compound Example 28A) and N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(2-furylmethyl)sulfonyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide (compound Example 28B)

29 mg (62 μmol) N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(2-furylmethyl)sulfanyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide which was prepared according to example 27 were transformed in analogy to example 5 to give after purification 5.1 mg (16%) of title compound Example 28A and 18.8 mg (58%) of title compound Example 28B.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 28A: δ=0.68 (2H), 0.93 (2H), 2.96 (1H), 4.72 (1H), 4.90 (1H), 6.30 (1H), 6.40 (1H), 6.43 (1H), 7.38-7.51 (4H), 7.69 (2H), 7.89-8.04 (5H), 8.60 (1H) ppm.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 28B: δ=0.69 (2H), 0.93 (2H), 2.96 (1H), 5.27 (2H), 6.31 (1H), 6.43 (1H), 6.45 (1H), 7.34 (1H), 7.40-7.51 (3H), 7.66 (2H), 7.90 (2H), 7.99 (2H), 8.07 (1H), 8.69 (1H) ppm.

Example 29 3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

80 mg (188 μmol) 6-bromo-3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine which was prepared according to example 29a were transformed in analogy to example 2 to give after after working up and purification 40.0 mg (50%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ=0.91-0.99 (4H), 2.02 (1H), 2.71 (3H), 3.91 (1H), 7.39 (1H), 7.46 (2H), 7.62 (1H), 7.76 (2H), 7.88 (2H), 7.89 (1H), 8.08 (2H), 8.60 (1H) ppm.

Example 29a 6-bromo-3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

1.0 g (2.70 mmol) 6-Bromo-3-iodo-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine which was prepared according to example 1a were transformed in analogy to example 1 using 2-cyclopropyl-5-[4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole to give after working up and purification 575 mg (50%) of the title compound.

Example 30 3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)-6-(4-vinylphenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

200 mg (469 μmol) 6-bromo-3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine which was prepared according to example 29a were transformed in analogy to example 2 using (4-vinylphenyl)boronic acid to give after working up and purification 171 mg (81%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.97-1.10 (4H), 2.02 (1H), 2.80 (3H), 5.30 (1H), 5.81 (1H), 6.76 (1H), 7.28 (1H), 7.49 (2H), 7.57 (2H), 7.74 (1H), 7.85-7.97 (4H), 8.35 (1H), 9.46 (1H) ppm.

Example 31 3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)-6-(pyridin-4-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine

80 mg (188 μmol) 6-bromo-3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine which was prepared according to example 29a were transformed in analogy to example 2 using pyridin-4-ylboronic acid to give after working up and purification 49.3 mg (62%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.99-1.09 (4H), 2.02 (1H), 2.81 (3H), 7.29 (1H), 7.56 (2H), 7.78 (1H), 7.87 (2H), 7.92 (2H), 8.47 (1H), 8.70 (2H) ppm.

Example 32 3-{3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-[(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-6-yl}prop-2-yn-1-ol

To a solution of 80 mg (188 μmol) 6-bromo-3,4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine which was prepared according to example 29a in 5.6 mL tetrahydrofuran were added 232 μL piperidine, 131 mg prop-2-yn-1-ol and 54 mg tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium. The mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 2 hours. The solution was cooled, water added, and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration and removal of solvent the residue was subjected to a column chromatography on silica gel to give 51.8 mg (28%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.98 (4H), 2.00 (1H), 2.65 (3H), 4.44 (2H), 7.17 (1H), 7.43 (2H), 7.67 (1H), 7.74 (2H), 8.10 (1H) ppm.

Example 33 N-[2-({3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-8-yl}sulfanyl)ethyl]acetamide

50 mg (116 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 were transformed in analogy to example 4 using sodium 2-acetamidoethanethiolate to give after working up and purification 29.5 mg (54%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 1.81 (3H), 2.95 (1H), 3.64 (2H), 3.74 (2H), 6.38 (1H), 6.46 (1H), 7.39-7.54 (3H), 7.65 (2H), 7.80 (1H), 7.88 (2H), 7.94 (2H), 8.32 (1H) ppm.

Example 34 2-(4-{3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-6-yl}phenyl)ethanol (compound Example 34A) (1R or 1S)-1-(4-{3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-6-yl}phenyl)ethanol (compound Example 34B) and (1S or 1R)-1-(4-{3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-6-yl}phenyl)ethanol (compound Example 34C)

To a solution of 100 mg (0.22 mmol) 3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)-6-(4-vinylphenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine which was prepared according to example 30 in 4.0 mL tetrahydrofuran were added 0.89 mL of a 1.0 M solution of boran-tetrahydrofuran complex in tetrahydrofuran and the mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 23° C. After cooling to 3° C. 0.68 mL sodium hydroxide solution (5% in water) was added followed after 5 minutes by 0.17 mL of hydrogen peroxide (30% in water). The mixture was allowed to warm to 23° C. and stirring was continued for 2 hours. Water was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with sodium thiosulfate, brine and dried over sodium sulfate. After filtration and removal of solvent the residue was purified by chromatography on a chiral phase to give 10.2 mg (9%) of the title compound Example 34A, 1.8 mg (1.6%) of the title compound Example 34B, and 1.5 mg (1.4%) of the title compound Example 34C.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 34A: δ=0.91-0.98 (4H), 1.97 (1H), 2.71 (3H), 2.83 (2H), 3.77 (2H), 7.15 (1H), 7.24 (2H), 7.48 (2H), 7.61 (1H), 7.76 (2H), 7.80 (2H), 8.24 (1H) ppm.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 34B and 34C: δ=0.96-1.02 (4H), 1.48 (3H), 2.00 (1H), 2.76 (3H), 4.90 (1H), 7.20 (1H), 7.43 (2H), 7.53 (2H), 7.68 (1H), 7.81 (2H), 7.90 (2H), 8.31 (1H) ppm.

Example 35 N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(4-hydroxybutyl)sulfanyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide

50 mg (116 μmol) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide which was prepared according to example 3 were transformed in analogy to example 16 using 4-sulfanylbutan-1-ol to give after working up and purification 24 mg (45%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.67 (2H), 0.92 (2H), 1.68 (1H), 1.82 (2H), 1.98 (2H), 2.95 (1H), 3.49 (2H), 3.73 (2H), 6.41 (1H), 7.36-7.50 (3H), 7.64 (2H), 7.76 (1H), 7.90 (2H), 7.93 (2H), 8.28 (1H) ppm.

Example 36 N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(4-hydroxybutyl)sulfonyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide

22.5 mg (49 μmol) N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(4-hydroxybutyl)sulfanyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide which was prepared according to example 35 were transformed in analogy to example 5 to give after purification 17.2 mg (68%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.69 (2H), 0.91 (2H), 1.77 (2H), 1.96 (1H), 2.08 (2H), 2.95 (1H), 3.70 (2H), 3.88 (2H), 6.64 (1H), 7.34-7.47 (3H), 7.61 (2H), 7.84 (2H), 7.92-8.01 (3H), 8.64 (1H) ppm.

Example 37 4-{8-[(2-aminoethyl)sulfanyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}-N-cyclopropylbenzamide

To a solution of 15 mg (28 μmol) tert-butyl [2-({3-[4-(cyclopropylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-8-yl}sulfanyl)ethyl]carbamate which was prepared according to example 16 in 270 μL dichloromethane was added 134 μL trifluoroacetic acid and the mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 45 minutes. After removal of solvent the residue was purified by chromatography give 10.7 mg (79%) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD): δ=0.66 (2H), 0.83 (2H), 2.88 (1H), 3.30 (2H), 3.65 (2H), 7.39 (1H), 7.46 (2H), 7.80 (2H), 7.86 (1H), 7.98 (2H), 8.01 (2H), 8.54 (1H) ppm.

Example 38 (RS) tert-butyl [2-({3-[4-(cyclopropylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-8-yl}sulfinyl)ethyl]carbamate (compound Example 38A) and tert-butyl [2-({3-[4-(cyclopropylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-8-yl}sulfonyl)ethyl]carbamate (compound Example 38B)

118 mg (223 μmol) tert-butyl [2-({3-[4-(cyclopropylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-8-yl}sulfanyl)ethyl]carbamate which was prepared according to example 16 were transformed in analogy to example 5 to give after purification 45.1 mg (35%) of title compound 38A and 49.0 mg (39%) of title compound 38B.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 38A: δ=0.68 (2H), 0.93 (2H), 1.33 (9H), 2.96 (1H), 3.66-3.83 (4H), 5.32 (1H), 6.43 (1H), 7.40-7.52 (3H), 7.67 (2H), 7.89-8.02 (5H), 8.59 (1H) ppm.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) of 38B: δ=0.68 (2H), 0.93 (2H), 1.36 (9H), 2.96 (1H), 3.81 (2H), 4.07 (2H), 5.35 (1H), 6.38 (1H), 7.43-7.53 (3H), 7.67 (2H), 7.90 (2H), 7.99 (2H), 8.08 (1H), 8.70 (1H) ppm.

Example 39 4-{8-[(2-aminoethyl)sulfonyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}-N-cyclopropylbenzamide

44.7 mg (80 μmol) tert-butyl [2-({3-[4-(cyclopropylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-8-yl}sulfonyl)ethyl]carbamate which was prepared according to example 38 were transformed in analogy to example 37 to give after purification 38.5 mg (99%) of title compound

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ=0.61 (2H), 0.73 (2H), 2.90 (1H), 3.38 (2H), 4.26 (2H), 7.48 (1H), 7.54 (2H), 7.95 (2H), 7.99-8.13 (6H), 8.34 (1H), 8.60 (1H), 9.19 (1H) ppm.

Further, the compounds of formula (I) of the present invention can be converted to any salt as described herein, by any method which is known to the person skilled in the art. Similarly, any salt of a compound of formula (I) of the present invention can be converted into the free compound, by any method which is known to the person skilled in the art.

Pharmaceutical Compositions of the Compounds of the Invention

This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more compounds of the present invention. These compositions can be utilised to achieve the desired pharmacological effect by administration to a patient in need thereof. A patient, for the purpose of this invention, is a mammal, including a human, in need of treatment for the particular condition or disease. Therefore, the present invention includes pharmaceutical compositions that are comprised of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound, or salt thereof, of the present invention. A pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is preferably a carrier that is relatively non-toxic and innocuous to a patient at concentrations consistent with effective activity of the active ingredient so that any side effects ascribable to the carrier do not vitiate the beneficial effects of the active ingredient. A pharmaceutically effective amount of compound is preferably that amount which produces a result or exerts an influence on the particular condition being treated. The compounds of the present invention can be administered with pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers well known in the art using any effective conventional dosage unit forms, including immediate, slow and timed release preparations, orally, parenterally, topically, nasally, ophthalmically, optically, sublingually, rectally, vaginally, and the like.

For oral administration, the compounds can be formulated into solid or liquid preparations such as capsules, pills, tablets, troches, lozenges, melts, powders, solutions, suspensions, or emulsions, and may be prepared according to methods known to the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions. The solid unit dosage forms can be a capsule that can be of the ordinary hard- or soft-shelled gelatin type containing, for example, surfactants, lubricants, and inert fillers such as lactose, sucrose, calcium phosphate, and corn starch.

In another embodiment, the compounds of this invention may be tableted with conventional tablet bases such as lactose, sucrose and cornstarch in combination with binders such as acacia, corn starch or gelatin, disintegrating agents intended to assist the break-up and dissolution of the tablet following administration such as potato starch, alginic acid, corn starch, and guar gum, gum tragacanth, acacia, lubricants intended to improve the flow of tablet granulation and to prevent the adhesion of tablet material to the surfaces of the tablet dies and punches, for example talc, stearic acid, or magnesium, calcium or zinc stearate, dyes, coloring agents, and flavoring agents such as peppermint, oil of wintergreen, or cherry flavoring, intended to enhance the aesthetic qualities of the tablets and make them more acceptable to the patient. Suitable excipients for use in oral liquid dosage forms include dicalcium phosphate and diluents such as water and alcohols, for example, ethanol, benzyl alcohol, and polyethylene alcohols, either with or without the addition of a pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant, suspending agent or emulsifying agent. Various other materials may be present as coatings or to otherwise modify the physical form of the dosage unit. For instance tablets, pills or capsules may be coated with shellac, sugar or both.

Dispersible powders and granules are suitable for the preparation of an aqueous suspension. They provide the active ingredient in admixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, a suspending agent and one or more preservatives. Suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents are exemplified by those already mentioned above. Additional excipients, for example those sweetening, flavoring and coloring agents described above, may also be present.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also be in the form of oil-in-water emulsions. The oily phase may be a vegetable oil such as liquid paraffin or a mixture of vegetable oils. Suitable emulsifying agents may be (1) naturally occurring gums such as gum acacia and gum tragacanth, (2) naturally occurring phosphatides such as soy bean and lecithin, (3) esters or partial esters derived form fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides, for example, sorbitan monooleate, (4) condensation products of said partial esters with ethylene oxide, for example, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The emulsions may also contain sweetening and flavoring agents.

Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the active ingredient in a vegetable oil such as, for example, arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil, or in a mineral oil such as liquid paraffin. The oily suspensions may contain a thickening agent such as, for example, beeswax, hard paraffin, or cetyl alcohol. The suspensions may also contain one or more preservatives, for example, ethyl or n-propyl p-hydroxybenzoate; one or more coloring agents; one or more flavoring agents; and one or more sweetening agents such as sucrose or saccharin.

Syrups and elixirs may be formulated with sweetening agents such as, for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol or sucrose. Such formulations may also contain a demulcent, and preservative, such as methyl and propyl parabens and flavoring and coloring agents.

The compounds of this invention may also be administered parenterally, that is, subcutaneously, intravenously, intraocularly, intrasynovially, intramuscularly, or interperitoneally, as injectable dosages of the compound in preferably a physiologically acceptable diluent with a pharmaceutical carrier which can be a sterile liquid or mixture of liquids such as water, saline, aqueous dextrose and related sugar solutions, an alcohol such as ethanol, isopropanol, or hexadecyl alcohol, glycols such as propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol, glycerol ketals such as 2,2-dimethyl-1,1-dioxolane-4-methanol, ethers such as poly(ethylene glycol) 400, an oil, a fatty acid, a fatty acid ester or, a fatty acid glyceride, or an acetylated fatty acid glyceride, with or without the addition of a pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant such as a soap or a detergent, suspending agent such as pectin, carbomers, methycellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, or carboxymethylcellulose, or emulsifying agent and other pharmaceutical adjuvants.

Illustrative of oils which can be used in the parenteral formulations of this invention are those of petroleum, animal, vegetable, or synthetic origin, for example, peanut oil, soybean oil, sesame oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, olive oil, petrolatum and mineral oil. Suitable fatty acids include oleic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid and myristic acid. Suitable fatty acid esters are, for example, ethyl oleate and isopropyl myristate. Suitable soaps include fatty acid alkali metal, ammonium, and triethanolamine salts and suitable detergents include cationic detergents, for example dimethyl dialkyl ammonium halides, alkyl pyridinium halides, and alkylamine acetates; anionic detergents, for example, alkyl, aryl, and olefin sulfonates, alkyl, olefin, ether, and monoglyceride sulfates, and sulfosuccinates; non-ionic detergents, for example, fatty amine oxides, fatty acid alkanolamides, and poly(oxyethylene-oxypropylene)s or ethylene oxide or propylene oxide copolymers; and amphoteric detergents, for example, alkyl-beta-aminopropionates, and 2-alkylimidazoline quarternary ammonium salts, as well as mixtures.

The parenteral compositions of this invention will typically contain from about 0.5% to about 25% by weight of the active ingredient in solution. Preservatives and buffers may also be used advantageously. In order to minimise or eliminate irritation at the site of injection, such compositions may contain a non-ionic surfactant having a hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) preferably of from about 12 to about 17. The quantity of surfactant in such formulation preferably ranges from about 5% to about 15% by weight. The surfactant can be a single component having the above HLB or can be a mixture of two or more components having the desired HLB.

Illustrative of surfactants used in parenteral formulations are the class of polyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, for example, sorbitan monooleate and the high molecular weight adducts of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base, formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol.

The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of sterile injectable aqueous suspensions. Such suspensions may be formulated according to known methods using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents such as, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia; dispersing or wetting agents which may be a naturally occurring phosphatide such as lecithin, a condensation product of an alkylene oxide with a fatty acid, for example, polyoxyethylene stearate, a condensation product of ethylene oxide with a long chain aliphatic alcohol, for example, heptadeca-ethyleneoxycetanol, a condensation product of ethylene oxide with a partial ester derived form a fatty acid and a hexitol such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or a condensation product of an ethylene oxide with a partial ester derived from a fatty acid and a hexitol anhydride, for example polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate.

The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent. Diluents and solvents that may be employed are, for example, water, Ringer's solution, isotonic sodium chloride solutions and isotonic glucose solutions. In addition, sterile fixed oils are conventionally employed as solvents or suspending media. For this purpose, any bland, fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid can be used in the preparation of injectables.

A composition of the invention may also be administered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration of the drug. These compositions can be prepared by mixing the drug with a suitable non-irritation excipient which is solid at ordinary temperatures but liquid at the rectal temperature and will therefore melt in the rectum to release the drug. Such materials are, for example, cocoa butter and polyethylene glycol.

Another formulation employed in the methods of the present invention employs transdermal delivery devices (“patches”). Such transdermal patches may be used to provide continuous or discontinuous infusion of the compounds of the present invention in controlled amounts. The construction and use of transdermal patches for the delivery of pharmaceutical agents is well known in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,252, issued Jun. 11, 1991, incorporated herein by reference). Such patches may be constructed for continuous, pulsatile, or on demand delivery of pharmaceutical agents.

Controlled release formulations for parenteral administration include liposomal, polymeric microsphere and polymeric gel formulations that are known in the art.

It may be desirable or necessary to introduce the pharmaceutical composition to the patient via a mechanical delivery device. The construction and use of mechanical delivery devices for the delivery of pharmaceutical agents is well known in the art. Direct techniques for, for example, administering a drug directly to the brain usually involve placement of a drug delivery catheter into the patient's ventricular system to bypass the blood-brain barrier. One such implantable delivery system, used for the transport of agents to specific anatomical regions of the body, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,472, issued Apr. 30, 1991.

The compositions of the invention can also contain other conventional pharmaceutically acceptable compounding ingredients, generally referred to as carriers or diluents, as necessary or desired. Conventional procedures for preparing such compositions in appropriate dosage forms can be utilized. Such ingredients and procedures include those described in the following references, each of which is incorporated herein by reference: Powell, M. F. et al., “Compendium of Excipients for Parenteral Formulations” PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science a Technology 1998, 52(5), 238-311; Strickley, R. G “Parenteral Formulations of Small Molecule Therapeutics Marketed in the United States (1999)-Part-1” PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science a Technology 1999, 53(6), 324-349; and Nema, S. et al., “Excipients and Their Use in Injectable Products” PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science a Technology 1997, 51(4), 166-171.

Commonly used pharmaceutical ingredients that can be used as appropriate to formulate the composition for its intended route of administration include:

acidifying agents (examples include but are not limited to acetic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid);

alkalinizing agents (examples include but are not limited to ammonia solution, ammonium carbonate, diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, potassium hydroxide, sodium borate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, triethanolamine, trolamine);

adsorbents (examples include but are not limited to powdered cellulose and activated charcoal);

aerosol propellants (examples include but are not limited to carbon dioxide, CCl₂F₂, F₂ClC—CClF₂ and CClF₃)

air displacement agents (examples include but are not limited to nitrogen and argon);

antifungal preservatives (examples include but are not limited to benzoic acid, butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, sodium benzoate);

antimicrobial preservatives (examples include but are not limited to benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, benzyl alcohol, cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorobutanol, phenol, phenylethyl alcohol, phenylmercuric nitrate and thimerosal);

antioxidants (examples include but are not limited to ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, hypophosphorus acid, monothioglycerol, propyl gallate, sodium ascorbate, sodium bisulfite, sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, sodium metabisulfite);

binding materials (examples include but are not limited to block polymers, natural and synthetic rubber, polyacrylates, polyurethanes, silicones, polysiloxanes and styrene-butadiene copolymers);

buffering agents (examples include but are not limited to potassium metaphosphate, dipotassium phosphate, sodium acetate, sodium citrate anhydrous and sodium citrate dihydrate)

carrying agents (examples include but are not limited to acacia syrup, aromatic syrup, aromatic elixir, cherry syrup, cocoa syrup, orange syrup, syrup, corn oil, mineral oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, bacteriostatic sodium chloride injection and bacteriostatic water for injection)

chelating agents (examples include but are not limited to edetate disodium and edetic acid)

colorants (examples include but are not limited to FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Red No. 20, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 2, D&C Green No. 5, D&C Orange No. 5, D&C Red No. 8, caramel and ferric oxide red);

clarifying agents (examples include but are not limited to bentonite); emulsifying agents (examples include but are not limited to acacia, cetomacrogol, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, lecithin, sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene 50 monostearate);

encapsulating agents (examples include but are not limited to gelatin and cellulose acetate phthalate)

flavorants (examples include but are not limited to anise oil, cinnamon oil, cocoa, menthol, orange oil, peppermint oil and vanillin);

humectants (examples include but are not limited to glycerol, propylene glycol and sorbitol);

levigating agents (examples include but are not limited to mineral oil and glycerin);

oils (examples include but are not limited to arachis oil, mineral oil, olive oil, peanut oil, sesame oil and vegetable oil);

ointment bases (examples include but are not limited to lanolin, hydrophilic ointment, polyethylene glycol ointment, petrolatum, hydrophilic petrolatum, white ointment, yellow ointment, and rose water ointment);

penetration enhancers (transdermal delivery) (examples include but are not limited to monohydroxy or polyhydroxy alcohols, mono- or polyvalent alcohols, saturated or unsaturated fatty alcohols, saturated or unsaturated fatty esters, saturated or unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, essential oils, phosphatidyl derivatives, cephalin, terpenes, amides, ethers, ketones and ureas)

plasticizers (examples include but are not limited to diethyl phthalate and glycerol);

solvents (examples include but are not limited to ethanol, corn oil, cottonseed oil, glycerol, isopropanol, mineral oil, oleic acid, peanut oil, purified water, water for injection, sterile water for injection and sterile water for irrigation);

stiffening agents (examples include but are not limited to cetyl alcohol, cetyl esters wax, microcrystalline wax, paraffin, stearyl alcohol, white wax and yellow wax);

suppository bases (examples include but are not limited to cocoa butter and polyethylene glycols (mixtures));

surfactants (examples include but are not limited to benzalkonium chloride, nonoxynol 10, oxtoxynol 9, polysorbate 80, sodium lauryl sulfate and sorbitan mono-palmitate);

suspending agents (examples include but are not limited to agar, bentonite, carbomers, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, kaolin, methylcellulose, tragacanth and veegum);

sweetening agents (examples include but are not limited to aspartame, dextrose, glycerol, mannitol, propylene glycol, saccharin sodium, sorbitol and sucrose);

tablet anti-adherents (examples include but are not limited to magnesium stearate and talc);

tablet binders (examples include but are not limited to acacia, alginic acid, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, compressible sugar, ethylcellulose, gelatin, liquid glucose, methylcellulose, non-crosslinked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and pregelatinized starch);

tablet and capsule diluents (examples include but are not limited to dibasic calcium phosphate, kaolin, lactose, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, powdered cellulose, precipitated calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium phosphate, sorbitol and starch);

tablet coating agents (examples include but are not limited to liquid glucose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, cellulose acetate phthalate and shellac);

tablet direct compression excipients (examples include but are not limited to dibasic calcium phosphate);

tablet disintegrants (examples include but are not limited to alginic acid, carboxymethylcellulose calcium, microcrystalline cellulose, polacrillin potassium, cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium alginate, sodium starch glycollate and starch);

tablet glidants (examples include but are not limited to colloidal silica, corn starch and talc);

tablet lubricants (examples include but are not limited to calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, mineral oil, stearic acid and zinc stearate);

tablet/capsule opaquants (examples include but are not limited to titanium dioxide);

tablet polishing agents (examples include but are not limited to carnuba wax and white wax);

thickening agents (examples include but are not limited to beeswax, cetyl alcohol and paraffin);

tonicity agents (examples include but are not limited to dextrose and sodium chloride);

viscosity increasing agents (examples include but are not limited to alginic acid, bentonite, carbomers, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, methylcellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, sodium alginate and tragacanth); and

wetting agents (examples include but are not limited to heptadecaethylene oxycetanol, lecithins, sorbitol monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, and polyoxyethylene stearate).

Pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention can be illustrated as follows:

Sterile IV Solution:

A 5 mg/mL solution of the desired compound of this invention can be made using sterile, injectable water, and the pH is adjusted if necessary. The solution is diluted for administration to 1-2 mg/mL with sterile 5% dextrose and is administered as an IV infusion over about 60 minutes.

Lyophilised Powder for IV Administration:

A sterile preparation can be prepared with (i) 100-1000 mg of the desired compound of this invention as a lyophilised powder, (ii) 32-327 mg/mL sodium citrate, and (iii) 300-3000 mg Dextran 40. The formulation is reconstituted with sterile, injectable saline or dextrose 5% to a concentration of 10 to 20 mg/mL, which is further diluted with saline or dextrose 5% to 0.2-0.4 mg/mL, and is administered either IV bolus or by IV infusion over 15-60 minutes.

Intramuscular Suspension:

The following solution or suspension can be prepared, for intramuscular injection:

50 mg/mL of the desired, water-insoluble compound of this invention

5 mg/mL sodium carboxymethylcellulose

4 mg/mL TWEEN 80

9 mg/mL sodium chloride

9 mg/mL benzyl alcohol

Hard Shell Capsules:

A large number of unit capsules are prepared by filling standard two-piece hard galantine capsules each with 100 mg of powdered active ingredient, 150 mg of lactose, 50 mg of cellulose and 6 mg of magnesium stearate.

Soft Gelatin Capsules:

A mixture of active ingredient in a digestible oil such as soybean oil, cottonseed oil or olive oil is prepared and injected by means of a positive displacement pump into molten gelatin to form soft gelatin capsules containing 100 mg of the active ingredient. The capsules are washed and dried. The active ingredient can be dissolved in a mixture of polyethylene glycol, glycerin and sorbitol to prepare a water miscible medicine mix.

Tablets:

A large number of tablets are prepared by conventional procedures so that the dosage unit is 100 mg of active ingredient, 0.2 mg. of colloidal silicon dioxide, 5 mg of magnesium stearate, 275 mg of microcrystalline cellulose, 11 mg. of starch, and 98.8 mg of lactose. Appropriate aqueous and non-aqueous coatings may be applied to increase palatability, improve elegance and stability or delay absorption.

Immediate Release Tablets/Capsules:

These are solid oral dosage forms made by conventional and novel processes. These units are taken orally without water for immediate dissolution and delivery of the medication. The active ingredient is mixed in a liquid containing ingredient such as sugar, gelatin, pectin and sweeteners. These liquids are solidified into solid tablets or caplets by freeze drying and solid state extraction techniques. The drug compounds may be compressed with viscoelastic and thermoelastic sugars and polymers or effervescent components to produce porous matrices intended for immediate release, without the need of water.

Combination Therapies

The compounds of this invention can be administered as the sole pharmaceutical agent or in combination with one or more other pharmaceutical agents where the combination causes no unacceptable adverse effects. The present invention relates also to such combinations. For example, the compounds of this invention can be combined with known anti-hyper-proliferative or other indication agents, and the like, as well as with admixtures and combinations thereof. Other indication agents include, but are not limited to, anti-angiogenic agents, mitotic inhibitors, alkylating agents, anti-metabolites, DNA-intercalating antibiotics, growth factor inhibitors, cell cycle inhibitors, enzyme inhibitors, toposisomerase inhibitors, biological response modifiers, or anti-hormones.

The additional pharmaceutical agent can be afinitor, aldesleukin, alendronic acid, alfaferone, alitretinoin, allopurinol, aloprim, aloxi, altretamine, aminoglutethimide, amifostine, amrubicin, amsacrine, anastrozole, anzmet, aranesp, arglabin, arsenic trioxide, aromasin, 5-azacytidine, azathioprine, BAY 80-6946, BAY 108-2439, BCG or tice BCG, bestatin, betamethasone acetate, betamethasone sodium phosphate, bexarotene, bleomycin sulfate, broxuridine, bortezomib, busulfan, calcitonin, campath, capecitabine, carboplatin, casodex, cefesone, celmoleukin, cerubidine, chlorambucil, cisplatin, cladribine, cladribine, clodronic acid, cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, dacarbazine, dactinomycin, DaunoXome, decadron, decadron phosphate, delestrogen, denileukin diftitox, depo-medrol, deslorelin, dexrazoxane, diethylstilbestrol, diflucan, docetaxel, doxifluridine, doxorubicin, dronabinol, DW-166HC, eligard, elitek, ellence, emend, epirubicin, epoetin alfa, epogen, eptaplatin, ergamisol, estrace, estradiol, estramustine phosphate sodium, ethinyl estradiol, ethyol, etidronic acid, etopophos, etoposide, fadrozole, farston, filgrastim, finasteride, fligrastim, floxuridine, fluconazole, fludarabine, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), fluoxymesterone, flutamide, formestane, fosteabine, fotemustine, fulvestrant, gammagard, gemcitabine, gemtuzumab, gleevec, gliadel, goserelin, granisetron HCl, histrelin, hycamtin, hydrocortone, eyrthro-hydroxynonyladenine, hydroxyurea, ibritumomab tiuxetan, idarubicin, ifosfamide, interferon alpha, interferon-alpha 2, interferon alfa-2A, interferon alfa-2B, interferon alfa-n1, interferon alfa-n3, interferon beta, interferon gamma-1a, interleukin-2, intron A, iressa, irinotecan, kytril, lentinan sulfate, letrozole, leucovorin, leuprolide, leuprolide acetate, levamisole, levofolinic acid calcium salt, levothroid, levoxyl, lomustine, lonidamine, marinol, mechlorethamine, mecobalamin, medroxyprogesterone acetate, megestrol acetate, melphalan, menest, 6-mercaptopurine, Mesna, methotrexate, metvix, miltefosine, minocycline, mitomycin C, mitotane, mitoxantrone, Modrenal, Myocet, nedaplatin, neulasta, neumega, neupogen, nilutamide, nolvadex, NSC-631570, OCT-43, octreotide, ondansetron HCl, orapred, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, pediapred, pegaspargase, Pegasys, pentostatin, picibanil, pilocarpine HCl, pirarubicin, plicamycin, porfimer sodium, prednimustine, prednisolone, prednisone, premarin, procarbazine, procrit, raltitrexed, RDEA 119, rebif, rhenium-186 etidronate, rituximab, roferon-A, romurtide, salagen, sandostatin, sargramostim, semustine, sizofiran, sobuzoxane, solu-medrol, sparfosic acid, stem-cell therapy, streptozocin, strontium-89 chloride, synthroid, tamoxifen, tamsulosin, tasonermin, tastolactone, taxotere, teceleukin, temozolomide, teniposide, testosterone propionate, testred, thioguanine, thiotepa, thyrotropin, tiludronic acid, topotecan, toremifene, tositumomab, trastuzumab, treosulfan, tretinoin, trexall, trimethylmelamine, trimetrexate, triptorelin acetate, triptorelin pamoate, UFT, uridine, valrubicin, vesnarinone, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, vinorelbine, virulizin, zinecard, zinostatin stimalamer, zofran, ABI-007, acolbifene, actimmune, affinitak, aminopterin, arzoxifene, asoprisnil, atamestane, atrasentan, sorafenib (BAY 43-9006), avastin, CCl-779, CDC-501, celebrex, cetuximab, crisnatol, cyproterone acetate, decitabine, DN-101, doxorubicin-MTC, dSLIM, dutasteride, edotecarin, eflornithine, exatecan, fenretinide, histamine dihydrochloride, histrelin hydrogel implant, holmium-166 DOTMP, ibandronic acid, interferon gamma, intron-PEG, ixabepilone, keyhole limpet hemocyanin, L-651582, lanreotide, lapatinib, lasofoxifene, libra, lonafarnib, miproxifene, minodronate, MS-209, liposomal MTP-PE, MX-6, nafarelin, nemorubicin, neovastat, nolatrexed, oblimersen, onco-TCS, osidem, paclitaxel polyglutamate, pamidronate disodium, PN-401, QS-21, quazepam, R-1549, raloxifene, ranpirnase, 13-cis-retinoic acid, satraplatin, seocalcitol, sunitinib, T-138067, tarceva, taxoprexin, thymosin alpha 1, tiazofurine, tipifarnib, tirapazamine, TLK-286, toremifene, TransMID-107R, valspodar, vapreotide, vatalanib, verteporfin, vinflunine, Z-100, zoledronic acid or combinations thereof.

Optional anti-hyper-proliferative agents which can be added to the composition include but are not limited to compounds listed on the cancer chemotherapy drug regimens in the 11^(th) Edition of the Merck Index, (1996), which is hereby incorporated by reference, such as asparaginase, bleomycin, carboplatin, carmustine, chlorambucil, cisplatin, colaspase, cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, dacarbazine, dactinomycin, daunorubicin, doxorubicin (adriamycine), epirubicin, epothilone, an epothilone derivative, etoposide, 5-fluorouracil, hexamethylmelamine, hydroxyurea, ifosfamide, irinotecan, leucovorin, lomustine, mechlorethamine, 6-mercaptopurine, mesna, methotrexate, mitomycin C, mitoxantrone, prednisolone, prednisone, procarbazine, raloxifen, streptozocin, tamoxifen, thioguanine, topotecan, vinblastine, vincristine, and vindesine.

Other anti-hyper-proliferative agents suitable for use with the composition of the invention include but are not limited to those compounds acknowledged to be used in the treatment of neoplastic diseases in Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics (Ninth Edition), editor Molinoff et al., publ. by McGraw-Hill, pages 1225-1287, (1996), which is hereby incorporated by reference, such as aminoglutethimide, L-asparaginase, azathioprine, 5-azacytidine cladribine, busulfan, diethylstilbestrol, 2′,2′-difluorodeoxycytidine, docetaxel, erythrohydroxynonyl adenine, ethinyl estradiol, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate, fludarabine phosphate, fluoxymesterone, flutamide, hydroxyprogesterone caproate, idarubicin, interferon, medroxyprogesterone acetate, megestrol acetate, melphalan, mitotane, paclitaxel, pentostatin, N-phosphonoacetyl-L-aspartate (PALA), plicamycin, semustine, teniposide, testosterone propionate, thiotepa, trimethylmelamine, uridine, and vinorelbine.

Other anti-hyper-proliferative agents suitable for use with the composition of the invention include but are not limited to other anti-cancer agents such as epothilone and its derivatives, irinotecan, raloxifen and topotecan.

The compounds of the invention may also be administered in combination with protein therapeutics. Such protein therapeutics suitable for the treatment of cancer or other angiogenic disorders and for use with the compositions of the invention include, but are not limited to, an interferon (e.g., interferon .alpha., .beta., or .gamma.) supraagonistic monoclonal antibodies, Tuebingen, TRP-1 protein vaccine, Colostrinin, anti-FAP antibody, YH-16, gemtuzumab, infliximab, cetuximab, trastuzumab, denileukin diftitox, rituximab, thymosin alpha 1, bevacizumab, mecasermin, mecasermin rinfabate, oprelvekin, natalizumab, rhMBL, MFE-CP1+ZD-2767-P, ABT-828, ErbB2-specific immunotoxin, SGN-35, MT-103, rinfabate, AS-1402, B43-genistein, L-19 based radioimmunotherapeutics, AC-9301, NY-ESO-1 vaccine, IMC-1C11, CT-322, rhCC10, r(m)CRP, MORAb-009, aviscumine, MDX-1307, Her-2 vaccine, APC-8024, NGR-hTNF, rhH1.3, IGN-311, Endostatin, volociximab, PRO-1762, lexatumumab, SGN-40, pertuzumab, EMD-273063, L19-IL-2 fusion protein, PRX-321, CNTO-328, MDX-214, tigapotide, CAT-3888, labetuzumab, alpha-particle-emitting radioisotope-llinked lintuzumab, EM-1421, HyperAcute vaccine, tucotuzumab celmoleukin, galiximab, HPV-16-E7, Javelin—prostate cancer, Javelin—melanoma, NY-ESO-1 vaccine, EGF vaccine, CYT-004-MelQbG10, WT1 peptide, oregovomab, ofatumumab, zalutumumab, cintredekin besudotox, WX-G250, Albuferon, aflibercept, denosumab, vaccine, CTP-37, efungumab, or 131I-chTNT-1/B. Monoclonal antibodies useful as the protein therapeutic include, but are not limited to, muromonab-CD3, abciximab, edrecolomab, daclizumab, gentuzumab, alemtuzumab, ibritumomab, cetuximab, bevicizumab, efalizumab, adalimumab, omalizumab, muromomab-CD3, rituximab, daclizumab, trastuzumab, palivizumab, basiliximab, and infliximab.

The compounds of the invention may also be combined with biological therapeutic agents, such as antibodies (e.g. avastin, rituxan, erbitux, herceptin), or recombinant proteins.

The compounds of the invention may also be in combination with antiangiogenesis agents, such as, for example, with avastin, axitinib, DAST, recentin, sorafenib or sunitinib. Combinations with inhibitors of proteasomes or mTOR inhibitors, or anti-hormones or steroidal metabolic enzyme inhibitors are also possible.

Generally, the use of cytotoxic and/or cytostatic agents in combination with a compound or composition of the present invention will serve to:

-   (1) yield better efficacy in reducing the growth of a tumor or even     eliminate the tumor as compared to administration of either agent     alone, -   (2) provide for the administration of lesser amounts of the     administered chemotherapeutic agents, -   (3) provide for a chemotherapeutic treatment that is well tolerated     in the patient with fewer deleterious pharmacological complications     than observed with single agent chemotherapies and certain other     combined therapies, -   (4) provide for treating a broader spectrum of different cancer     types in mammals, especially humans, -   (5) provide for a higher response rate among treated patients, -   (6) provide for a longer survival time among treated patients     compared to standard chemotherapy treatments, -   (7) provide a longer time for tumor progression, and/or -   (8) yield efficacy and tolerability results at least as good as     those of the agents used alone, compared to known instances where     other cancer agent combinations produce antagonistic effects.     Methods of Sensitizing Cells to Radiation

In a distinct embodiment of the present invention, a compound of the present invention may be used to sensitize a cell to radiation. That is, treatment of a cell with a compound of the present invention prior to radiation treatment of the cell renders the cell more susceptible to DNA damage and cell death than the cell would be in the absence of any treatment with a compound of the invention. In one aspect, the cell is treated with at least one compound of the invention.

Thus, the present invention also provides a method of killing a cell, wherein a cell is administered one or more compounds of the invention in combination with conventional radiation therapy.

The present invention also provides a method of rendering a cell more susceptible to cell death, wherein the cell is treated one or more compounds of the invention prior to the treatment of the cell to cause or induce cell death. In one aspect, after the cell is treated with one or more compounds of the invention, the cell is treated with at least one compound, or at least one method, or a combination thereof, in order to cause DNA damage for the purpose of inhibiting the function of the normal cell or killing the cell.

In one embodiment, a cell is killed by treating the cell with at least one DNA damaging agent. That is, after treating a cell with one or more compounds of the invention to sensitize the cell to cell death, the cell is treated with at least one DNA damaging agent to kill the cell. DNA damaging agents useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., cisplatinum), ionizing radiation (X-rays, ultraviolet radiation), carcinogenic agents, and mutagenic agents.

In another embodiment, a cell is killed by treating the cell with at least one method to cause or induce DNA damage. Such methods include, but are not limited to, activation of a cell signalling pathway that results in DNA damage when the pathway is activated, inhibiting of a cell signalling pathway that results in DNA damage when the pathway is inhibited, and inducing a biochemical change in a cell, wherein the change results in DNA damage. By way of a non-limiting example, a DNA repair pathway in a cell can be inhibited, thereby preventing the repair of DNA damage and resulting in an abnormal accumulation of DNA damage in a cell.

In one aspect of the invention, a compound of the invention is administered to a cell prior to the radiation or orther induction of DNA damage in the cell. In another aspect of the invention, a compound of the invention is administered to a cell concomitantly with the radiation or orther induction of DNA damage in the cell. In yet another aspect of the invention, a compound of the invention is administered to a cell immediately after radiation or orther induction of DNA damage in the cell has begun.

In another aspect, the cell is in vitro. In another embodiment, the cell is in vivo.

As mentioned supra, the compounds of the present invention have surprisingly been found to effectively inhibit Mps-1 and may therefore be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases of uncontrolled cell growth, proliferation and/or survival, inappropriate cellular immune responses, or inappropriate cellular inflammatory responses, or diseases which are accompanied with uncontrolled cell growth, proliferation and/or survival, inappropriate cellular immune responses, or inappropriate cellular inflammatory responses, particularly in which the uncontrolled cell growth, proliferation and/or survival, inappropriate cellular immune responses, or inappropriate cellular inflammatory responses is mediated by Mps-1, such as, for example, haematological tumours, solid tumours, and/or metastases thereof, e.g. leukaemias and myelodysplastic syndrome, malignant lymphomas, head and neck tumours including brain tumours and brain metastases, tumours of the thorax including non-small cell and small cell lung tumours, gastrointestinal tumours, endocrine tumours, mammary and other gynaecological tumours, urological tumours including renal, bladder and prostate tumours, skin tumours, and sarcomas, and/or metastases thereof.

In accordance with another aspect therefore, the present invention covers a compound of general formula (I), or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, an N-oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, or a salt thereof, particularly a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a mixture of same, as described and defined herein, for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease, as mentioned supra.

Another particular aspect of the present invention is therefore the use of a compound of general formula (I), described supra, or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, an N-oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, or a salt thereof, particularly a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a mixture of same, for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease.

Another particular aspect of the present invention is therefore the use of a compound of general formula (I) described supra for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease.

The diseases referred to in the two preceding paragraphs are diseases of uncontrolled cell growth, proliferation and/or survival, inappropriate cellular immune responses, or inappropriate cellular inflammatory responses, or diseases which are accompanied with uncontrolled cell growth, proliferation and/or survival, inappropriate cellular immune responses, or inappropriate cellular inflammatory responses, particularly in which the uncontrolled cell growth, proliferation and/or survival, inappropriate cellular immune responses, or inappropriate cellular inflammatory responses is mediated by Mps-1, such as, for example, haematological tumours, solid tumours, and/or metastases thereof, e.g. leukaemias and myelodysplastic syndrome, malignant lymphomas, head and neck tumours including brain tumours and brain metastases, tumours of the thorax including non-small cell and small cell lung tumours, gastrointestinal tumours, endocrine tumours, mammary and other gynaecological tumours, urological tumours including renal, bladder and prostate tumours, skin tumours, and sarcomas, and/or metastases thereof.

The term “inappropriate” within the context of the present invention, in particular in the context of “inappropriate cellular immune responses, or inappropriate cellular inflammatory responses”, as used herein, is to be understood as preferably meaning a response which is less than, or greater than normal, and which is associated with, responsible for, or results in, the pathology of said diseases.

Preferably, the use is in the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases, wherein the diseases are haemotological tumours, solid tumours and/or metastases thereof.

Method of Treating Hyper-Proliferative Disorders

The present invention relates to a method for using the compounds of the present invention and compositions thereof, to treat mammalian hyper-proliferative disorders. Compounds can be utilized to inhibit, block, reduce, decrease, etc., cell proliferation and/or cell division, and/or produce apoptosis. This method comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof, including a human, an amount of a compound of this invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, isomer, polymorph, metabolite, hydrate, solvate or ester thereof ; etc. which is effective to treat the disorder. Hyper-proliferative disorders include but are not limited, e.g., psoriasis, keloids, and other hyperplasias affecting the skin, benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), solid tumors, such as cancers of the breast, respiratory tract, brain, reproductive organs, digestive tract, urinary tract, eye, liver, skin, head and neck, thyroid, parathyroid and their distant metastases. Those disorders also include lymphomas, sarcomas, and leukemias.

Examples of breast cancer include, but are not limited to invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, ductal carcinoma in situ, and lobular carcinoma in situ.

Examples of cancers of the respiratory tract include, but are not limited to small-cell and non-small-cell lung carcinoma, as well as bronchial adenoma and pleuropulmonary blastoma.

Examples of brain cancers include, but are not limited to brain stem and hypophtalmic glioma, cerebellar and cerebral astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, ependymoma, as well as neuroectodermal and pineal tumor.

Tumors of the male reproductive organs include, but are not limited to prostate and testicular cancer. Tumors of the female reproductive organs include, but are not limited to endometrial, cervical, ovarian, vaginal, and vulvar cancer, as well as sarcoma of the uterus.

Tumors of the digestive tract include, but are not limited to anal, colon, colorectal, esophageal, gallbladder, gastric, pancreatic, rectal, small-intestine, and salivary gland cancers.

Tumors of the urinary tract include, but are not limited to bladder, penile, kidney, renal pelvis, ureter, urethral and human papillary renal cancers.

Eye cancers include, but are not limited to intraocular melanoma and retinoblastoma.

Examples of liver cancers include, but are not limited to hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cell carcinomas with or without fibrolamellar variant), cholangiocarcinoma (intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma), and mixed hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma.

Skin cancers include, but are not limited to squamous cell carcinoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, malignant melanoma, Merkel cell skin cancer, and non-melanoma skin cancer.

Head-and-neck cancers include, but are not limited to laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal cancer, lip and oral cavity cancer and squamous cell. Lymphomas include, but are not limited to AIDS-related lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and lymphoma of the central nervous system.

Sarcomas include, but are not limited to sarcoma of the soft tissue, osteosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, lymphosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma.

Leukemias include, but are not limited to acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and hairy cell leukemia.

These disorders have been well characterized in humans, but also exist with a similar etiology in other mammals, and can be treated by administering pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention.

The term “treating” or “treatment” as stated throughout this document is used conventionally, e.g., the management or care of a subject for the purpose of combating, alleviating, reducing, relieving, improving the condition of, etc., of a disease or disorder, such as a carcinoma.

Methods of Treating Kinase Disorders

The present invention also provides methods for the treatment of disorders associated with aberrant mitogen extracellular kinase activity, including, but not limited to stroke, heart failure, hepatomegaly, cardiomegaly, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, cystic fibrosis, symptoms of xenograft rejections, septic shock or asthma.

Effective amounts of compounds of the present invention can be used to treat such disorders, including those diseases (e.g., cancer) mentioned in the Background section above. Nonetheless, such cancers and other diseases can be treated with compounds of the present invention, regardless of the mechanism of action and/or the relationship between the kinase and the disorder.

The phrase “aberrant kinase activity” or “aberrant tyrosine kinase activity,” includes any abnormal expression or activity of the gene encoding the kinase or of the polypeptide it encodes. Examples of such aberrant activity, include, but are not limited to, over-expression of the gene or polypeptide; gene amplification; mutations which produce constitutively-active or hyperactive kinase activity; gene mutations, deletions, substitutions, additions, etc.

The present invention also provides for methods of inhibiting a kinase activity, especially of mitogen extracellular kinase, comprising administering an effective amount of a compound of the present invention, including salts, polymorphs, metabolites, hydrates, solvates, prodrugs (e.g.: esters) thereof, and diastereoisomeric forms thereof. Kinase activity can be inhibited in cells (e.g., in vitro), or in the cells of a mammalian subject, especially a human patient in need of treatment.

Methods of Treating Angiogenic Disorders

The present invention also provides methods of treating disorders and diseases associated with excessive and/or abnormal angiogenesis.

Inappropriate and ectopic expression of angiogenesis can be deleterious to an organism. A number of pathological conditions are associated with the growth of extraneous blood vessels. These include, e.g., diabetic retinopathy, ischemic retinal-vein occlusion, and retinopathy of prematurity [Aiello et al. New Engl. J. Med. 1994, 331, 1480; Peer et al. Lab. Invest. 1995, 72, 638], age-related macular degeneration [AMD; see, Lopez et al. Invest. Opththalmol. Vis. Sci. 1996, 37, 855], neovascular glaucoma, psoriasis, retrolental fibroplasias, angiofibroma, inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), restenosis, in-stent restenosis, vascular graft restenosis, etc. In addition, the increased blood supply associated with cancerous and neoplastic tissue, encourages growth, leading to rapid tumor enlargement and metastasis. Moreover, the growth of new blood and lymph vessels in a tumor provides an escape route for renegade cells, encouraging metastasis and the consequence spread of the cancer. Thus, compounds of the present invention can be utilized to treat and/or prevent any of the aforementioned angiogenesis disorders, e.g., by inhibiting and/or reducing blood vessel formation; by inhibiting, blocking, reducing, decreasing, etc. endothelial cell proliferation or other types involved in angiogenesis, as well as causing cell death or apoptosis of such cell types.

Dose and Administration

Based upon standard laboratory techniques known to evaluate compounds useful for the treatment of hyper-proliferative disorders and angiogenic disorders, by standard toxicity tests and by standard pharmacological assays for the determination of treatment of the conditions identified above in mammals, and by comparison of these results with the results of known medicaments that are used to treat these conditions, the effective dosage of the compounds of this invention can readily be determined for treatment of each desired indication. The amount of the active ingredient to be administered in the treatment of one of these conditions can vary widely according to such considerations as the particular compound and dosage unit employed, the mode of administration, the period of treatment, the age and sex of the patient treated, and the nature and extent of the condition treated.

The total amount of the active ingredient to be administered will generally range from about 0.001 mg/kg to about 200 mg/kg body weight per day, and preferably from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg body weight per day. Clinically useful dosing schedules will range from one to three times a day dosing to once every four weeks dosing. In addition, “drug holidays” in which a patient is not dosed with a drug for a certain period of time, may be beneficial to the overall balance between pharmacological effect and tolerability. A unit dosage may contain from about 0.5 mg to about 1500 mg of active ingredient, and can be administered one or more times per day or less than once a day. The average daily dosage for administration by injection, including intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous and parenteral injections, and use of infusion techniques will preferably be from 0.01 to 200 mg/kg of total body weight. The average daily rectal dosage regimen will preferably be from 0.01 to 200 mg/kg of total body weight. The average daily vaginal dosage regimen will preferably be from 0.01 to 200 mg/kg of total body weight. The average daily topical dosage regimen will preferably be from 0.1 to 200 mg administered between one to four times daily. The transdermal concentration will preferably be that required to maintain a daily dose of from 0.01 to 200 mg/kg. The average daily inhalation dosage regimen will preferably be from 0.01 to 100 mg/kg of total body weight.

Of course the specific initial and continuing dosage regimen for each patient will vary according to the nature and severity of the condition as determined by the attending diagnostician, the activity of the specific compound employed, the age and general condition of the patient, time of administration, route of administration, rate of excretion of the drug, drug combinations, and the like. The desired mode of treatment and number of doses of a compound of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or composition thereof can be ascertained by those skilled in the art using conventional treatment tests.

Preferably, the diseases of said method are haematological tumours, solid tumour and/or metastases thereof.

The compounds of the present invention can be used in particular in therapy and prevention, i.e. prophylaxis, of tumour growth and metastases, especially in solid tumours of all indications and stages with or without pre-treatment of the tumour growth.

Methods of testing for a particular pharmacological or pharmaceutical property are well known to persons skilled in the art.

The example testing experiments described herein serve to illustrate the present invention and the invention is not limited to the examples given.

Biological Assay: Proliferation Assay

Cultivated tumor cells (MCF7, hormone dependent human mammary carcinoma cells, ATCC HTB22; NCI-H460, human non-small cell lung carcinoma cells, ATCC HTB-177; DU 145, hormone-independent human prostate carcinoma cells, ATCC HTB-81; HeLa-MaTu, human cervical carcinoma cells, EPO-GmbH, Berlin; HeLa-MaTu-ADR, multidrug-resistant human cervical carcinoma cells, EPO-GmbH, Berlin; HeLa human cervical tumor cells, ATCC CCL-2; B16F10 mouse melanoma cells, ATCC CRL-6475) were plated at a density of 5000 cells/well (MCF7, DU145, HeLa-MaTu-ADR), 3000 cells/well (NCI-H460, HeLa-MaTu, HeLa), or 1000 cells/well (B16F10) in a 96-well multititer plate in 200 μl of their respective growth medium supplemented 10% fetal calf serum. After 24 hours, the cells of one plate (zero-point plate) were stained with crystal violet (see below), while the medium of the other plates was replaced by fresh culture medium (200 μl), to which the test substances were added in various concentrations (0 μM, as well as in the range of 0.01-30 μM; the final concentration of the solvent dimethyl sulfoxide was 0.5%). The cells were incubated for 4 days in the presence of test substances. Cell proliferation was determined by staining the cells with crystal violet: the cells were fixed by adding 20 μl/measuring point of an 11% glutaric aldehyde solution for 15 minutes at room temperature. After three washing cycles of the fixed cells with water, the plates were dried at room temperature. The cells were stained by adding 100 μl/measuring point of a 0.1% crystal violet solution (pH 3.0). After three washing cycles of the stained cells with water, the plates were dried at room temperature. The dye was dissolved by adding 100 μl/measuring point of a 10% acetic acid solution. The extinction was determined by photometry at a wavelength of 595 nm. The change of cell number, in percent, was calculated by normalization of the measured values to the extinction values of the zero-point plate (=0%) and the extinction of the untreated (0 μm) cells (=100%). The IC50 values were determined by means of a 4 parameter fit using the company's own software.

Mps-1 Kinase Assay

The human kinase Mps-1 phosphorylates a biotinylated substrate peptide. Detection of the phosphorylated product is achieved by time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) from Europium-labelled anti-phospho-Serine/Threonine antibody as donor to streptavidin labelled with cross-linked allophycocyanin (SA-XLent) as acceptor. Compounds are tested for their inhibition of the kinase activity.

N-terminally GST-tagged human full length recombinant Mps-1 kinase (purchased from Invitrogen, Karslruhe, Germany, cat. no PV4071) was used. As substrate for the kinase reaction a biotinylated peptide of the amino-acid sequence PWDPDDADITEILG (C-terminus in amide form, purchased from Biosynthan GmbH, Berlin) was used.

For the assay 50 nl of a 100-fold concentrated solution of the test compound in DMSO was pipetted into a black low volume 384 well microtiter plate (Greiner Bio-One, Frickenhausen, Germany), 2 μl of a solution of Mps-1 in assay buffer [0.1 mM sodium-ortho-vanadate, 10 mM MgCl₂, 2 mM DTT, 25 mM Hepes pH 7.7, 0.05% BSA, 0.001% Pluronic F-127] were added and the mixture was incubated for 15 min at 22° C. to allow pre-binding of the test compounds to Mps-1 before the start of the kinase reaction. Then the kinase reaction was started by the addition of 3 μl of a solution of 16.7 adenosine-tri-phosphate (ATP, 16.7 μM=>final conc. in the 5 μl assay volume is 10 μM) and peptide substrate (1.67 μM=>final conc. in the 5 μl assay volume is 1 μM) in assay buffer and the resulting mixture was incubated for a reaction time of 60 min at 22° C. The concentration of Mps-1 in the assay was adjusted to the activity of the enzyme lot and was chosen appropriate to have the assay in the linear range, typical enzyme concentrations were in the range of about 1 nM (final conc. in the 5 μl assay volume). The reaction was stopped by the addition of 3 μl of a solution of HTRF detection reagents (100 mM Hepes pH 7.4, 0.1% BSA, 40 mM EDTA, 140 nM Streptavidin-XLent [#61GSTXLB, Fa. Cis Biointernational, Marcoule, France], 1.5 nM anti-phospho(Ser/Thr)-Europium-antibody [#AD0180, PerkinElmer LAS, Rodgau-Jügesheim, Germany].

The resulting mixture was incubated 1 h at 22° C. to allow the binding of the phosphorylated peptide to the anti-phospho(Ser/Thr)-Europium-antibody. Subsequently the amount of phosphorylated substrate was evaluated by measurement of the resonance energy transfer from the Europium-labelled anti-phospho(Ser/Thr) antibody to the Streptavidin-XLent. Therefore, the fluorescence emissions at 620 nm and 665 nm after excitation at 350 nm was measured in a Viewlux TR-FRET reader (PerkinElmer LAS, Rodgau-Jügesheim, Germany). The “blank-corrected normalized ratio” (a Viewlux specific readout, similar to the traditional ratio of the emissions at 665 nm and at 622 nm, in which blank and Eu-donor crosstalk are subtracted from the 665 nm signal before the ratio is calculated) was taken as the measure for the amount of phosphorylated substrate. The data were normalised (enzyme reaction without inhibitor=0% inhibition, all other assay components but no enzyme=100% inhibition). Test compounds were tested on the same microtiter plate at 10 different concentrations in the range of 20 μM to 1 nM (20 μM, 6.7 μM, 2.2 μM, 0.74 μM, 0.25 μM, 82 nM, 27 nM, 9.2 nM, 3.1 nM and 1 nM, dilution series prepared before the assay at the level of the 100 fold conc. stock solutions by serial 1:3 dilutions) in duplicate values for each concentration and IC₅₀ values were calculated by a 4 parameter fit using an inhouse software.

TABLE Example Mps1 IC50 [nM]  1 607.0  2 25.7  3A 6.0  3B 8.9  4 22.2  5A 27.7  5B 7.7  6 11.0  7A 20.0  7B 10.1  8 26.3  9A 10.3  9B 14.0 10 85.1 11A 23.0 11B 4.3 12 8.0 13A NT 13B 7.8 14 NT 15 5.2 16 67.6 17 79.8 18B 7.5 19 22.3 20B 13.9 21 13.2 22A 12.7 22B 6.4 23 25.2 24A 14.5 24B 6.5 25 26.3 26A 6.2 26B 8.1 27 40.8 28A 16.9 28B 7.1 29 544.0 30 3100.0 31 125.0 32 151.0 33 19.9 34A 48.7 34B 58.2 34C 95 35 3.7 36 5.1 In the above Table, NT = not tested Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Assay

The spindle assembly checkpoint assures the proper segregation of chromosomes during mitosis. Upon entry into mitosis, chromosomes begin to condensate which is accompanied by the phosphorylation of histone H3 on serine 10. Dephosphorylation of histone H3 on serine 10 begins in anaphase and ends at early telophase. Accordingly, phosphorylation of histone H3 on serine 10 can be utilized as a marker of cells in mitosis. Nocodazole is a microtubule destabilizing substance. Thus, nocodazole interferes with microtubule dynamics and mobilises the spindle assembly checkpoint. The cells arrest in mitosis at G2/M transition and exhibit phosphorylated histone H3 on serine 10. An inhibition of the spindle assembly checkpoint by Mps-1 inhibitors overrides the mitotic blockage in the presence of nocodazole, and the cells complete mitosis prematurely. This alteration is detected by the decrease of cells with phosphorylation of histone H3 on serine 10. This decline is used as a marker to determine the capability of compounds of the present invention to induce a mitotic breakthrough.

Cultivated cells of the human cervical tumor cell line HeLa (ATCC CCL-2) were plated at a density of 2500 cells/well in a 384-well microtiter plate in 20 μl Dulbeco's Medium (w/o phenol red, w/o sodium pyruvate, w 1000 mg/ml glucose, w pyridoxine) supplemented with 1% (v/v) glutamine, 1% (v/v) penicillin, 1% (v/v) streptomycin and 10% (v/v) fetal calf serum. After incubation overnight at 37° C., 10 μl/well nocodazole at a final concentration of 0.1 μg/ml were added to cells. After 24 h incubation, cells were arrested at G2/M phase of the cell cycle progression. Test compounds solubilised in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were added at various concentrations (0 μM, as well as in the range of 0.005 μM-10 μM; the final concentration of the solvent DMSO was 0.5% (v/v)). Cells were incubated for 4 h at 37° C. in the presence of test compounds. Thereafter, cells were fixed in 4% (v/v) paraformaldehyde in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 4° C. overnight then permeabilised in 0.1% (v/v) Triton X™ 100 in PBS at room temperature for 20 min and blocked in 0.5% (v/v) bovine serum albumin (BSA) in PBS at room temperature for 15 min. After washing with PBS, 20 μl/well antibody solution (anti-phospho-histone H3 clone 3H10, FITC; Upstate, Cat#16-222; 1:200 dilution) was added to cells, which were incubated for 2 h at room temperature. Afterwards, cells were washed with PBS and 20 μl/well HOECHST 33342 dye solution (5 μg/ml) was added to cells and cells were incubated 12 min at room temperature in the dark. Cells were washed twice with PBS then covered with PBS and stored at 4° C. until analysis. Images were acquired with a Perkin Elmer OPERA™ High-Content Analysis reader. Images were analyzed with image analysis software MetaXpress™ from Molecular devices utilizing the Cell Cycle application module. In this assay both labels HOECHST 33342 and phosphorylated Histone H3 on serine 10 were measured. HOECHST 33342 labels DNA and is used to count cell number. The staining of phosphorylated Histone H3 on serine 10 determines the number of mitotic cells. Inhibition of Mps-1 decreases the number of mitotic cells in the presence of nocodazole indicating an inappropriate mitotic progression. The raw assay data were further analysed by four parameter logistic regression analysis to determine the IC₅₀ value for each tested compound.

It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that assays for other Mps kinases may be performed in analogy using the appropriate reagents.

Thus the compounds of the present invention effectively inhibit one or more Mps-1 kinases and are therefore suitable for the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases of uncontrolled cell growth, proliferation and/or survival, inappropriate cellular immune responses, or inappropriate cellular inflammatory responses, particularly in which the uncontrolled cell growth, proliferation and/or survival, inappropriate cellular immune responses, or inappropriate cellular inflammatory responses is mediated by Mps-1, more particularly in which the diseases of uncontrolled cell growth, proliferation and/or survival, inappropriate cellular immune responses, or inappropriate cellular inflammatory responses are haemotological tumours, solid tumours and/or metastases thereof, e.g. leukaemias and myelodysplastic syndrome, malignant lymphomas, head and neck tumours including brain tumours and brain metastases, tumours of the thorax including non-small cell and small cell lung tumours, gastrointestinal tumours, endocrine tumours, mammary and other gynaecological tumours, urological tumours including renal, bladder and prostate tumours, skin tumours, and sarcomas, and/or metastases thereof. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula (I):

in which: X represents an —SR⁵, —S(═O)R⁵, —S(═O)₂R⁵, —S(═O)(═NR^(5a))R^(5b), or —S(═O)₂N(R^(5b))R^(5c) group; R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group; R² represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, or C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group; or a group selected from:

R^(3a), R^(3b) represent, independently from one another, a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, heteroaryl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group; said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, heteroaryl, being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups; R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a —CN, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R^(8a)(R^(8b))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group; or R^(4c), together with R², forms an *N(R⁶)—N═C*—NH₂ group; R⁵, R^(5b), R^(5c), represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, heteroaryl group; said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, heteroaryl, being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups; R^(5a) represents a hydrogen atom or a —C(═O)—C₁-C₆-alkyl, or —C(═O)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group; said C₁-C₆-alkyl being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with one or more halogen atom; R⁶, R^(6a) represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group, R⁷ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a —CN, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R^(8a)(R^(8b))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group; R⁸, R^(8a), R^(8b), represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, or heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl- group; m is an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10; or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, an N-oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, or a salt thereof, or a mixture of same.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein: X represents an —SR⁵, —S(═O)R⁵, —S(═O)₂R⁵, —S(═O)(═NR^(5a))R^(5b), or —S(═O)₂N(R^(5b))R^(5c) group; R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, or —N(R^(8a))R^(8b) group; R² represents a —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b) group; or a group selected from:

R^(3a), R^(3b) represent, independently from one another, a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, heteroaryl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group; said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, heteroaryl, being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups; R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a —CN, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R^(8a)(R^(8b))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group; or R^(4c), together with R², forms an *N(R⁶)—N═C*—NH₂ group; R⁵, R^(5b), R^(5c), represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, heteroaryl group; said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, heteroaryl, being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups; R^(5a) represents a hydrogen atom or a —C(═O)—C₁-C₆-alkyl, or —C(═O)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group; said C₁-C₆-alkyl being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with one or more halogen atom; R⁶, R^(6a) represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group, R⁷ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a —CN, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)OR^(8a), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b) group; R⁸, R^(8a), R^(8b), represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, or heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl- group; m is an integer of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10; or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, an N-oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, or a salt thereof, or a mixture of same.
 3. The compound according to claim 1, wherein: X represents an —SR⁵, —S(═O)R⁵, —S(═O)₂R⁵, —S(═O)(═NR^(5a))R^(5b), or —S(═O)₂N(R^(5b))R^(5c) group; R¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶ or —N(R^(8a))R^(8b) group; R² represents a —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b) group; or a group selected from:

R^(3a), R^(3b) represent, independently from one another, a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a —CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, heteroaryl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁶, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)NH₂, —N(H)C(═O)N(H)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)OR⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)OR^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))S(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)S(═O)₂R⁸, —NR^(8a)S(═O)₂R^(8b), —N═S(═O)(R^(8a))R^(8b), —OH, —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —O(C═O)OR⁸, —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b), or —S(═O)(═NR^(8a))R^(8b) group; said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, heteroaryl, being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups; R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) represent a hydrogen atom or R^(4c), together with R², forms an *N(R⁶)—N═C*—NH₂ group; R⁵, R^(5b), R^(5c), represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, heteroaryl group; said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₂-C₆-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, R⁶(R^(6a))N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, HO—C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —C₁-C₆-alkyl-CN, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl-, a 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₃-C₆-cycloalkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, heteroaryl, being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups; R^(5a) represents a hydrogen atom or a —C(═O)—C₁-C₆-alkyl, or —C(═O)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group; said C₁-C₆-alkyl being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with one or more halogen atom; R⁶, R^(6a) represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group; R⁷ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a —CN, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —C(═O)R⁸, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —C(═O)O—R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —NO₂, —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)OR^(8a), —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —SR⁸, —S(═O)R⁸, —S(═O)N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —S(═O₂)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(H)R⁸, —S(═O)₂N(R^(8a))R^(8b) group; R⁸, R^(8a), R^(8b), represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, 3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, or heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl- group; m is an integer of 1, 2 or 3; or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, an N-oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, or a salt thereof, or a mixture of same.
 4. The compound according to claim 1, wherein: X represents an —SR⁵, —S(═O)R⁵, —S(═O)₂R⁵, —S(═O)(═NR^(5a))R^(5b), or —S(═O)₂N(R^(5b))R^(5c) group; R¹ represents a hydrogen atom; R² represents a —C(═O)N(H)R⁸ group; or an

group; R^(3a) represents a hydrogen atom; R^(3b) represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, or a C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl-, or heteroaryl group; said C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, aryl-, C₁-C₆-alkyl-aryl- or heteroaryl, being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups; R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) represent a hydrogen atom, or R^(4c), together with R², forms an *N(R⁶)—N═C*—NH₂ group; R⁵, R^(5b), R^(5c), represent, independently from each other, a C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl- group; said C₁-C₆-alkyl-, —(CH₂)_(m)-(3- to 7-membered heterocycloalkyl), heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with 1, 2, 3, or 4 R⁷ groups; R^(5a) represents a hydrogen atom or a —C(═O)—C₁-C₆-alkyl, or —C(═O)—C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group; said C₁-C₆-alkyl being optionally substituted, identically or differently, with one or more halogen atom; R⁶, R^(6a) represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group; R⁷ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a halo-C₁-C₆-alkyl-, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, —C(═O)N(H)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))R^(8b), —N(H)C(═O)R⁸, —N(R^(8a))C(═O)R^(8b), —N(R⁸)C(═O)OR^(8a), —OR⁸, —O(C═O)R⁸, —O(C═O)N(R^(8a))R^(8b) group; R⁸, R^(8a), R^(8b), represent, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom, or a C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl group; m is an integer of 1; or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, an N-oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, or a salt thereof, or a mixture of same.
 5. The compound according to claim 1, which is selected from the group consisting of: 4-[6-Bromo-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]-N-cyclopropylbenzamide; N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; (RS)—N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(methylsulfinyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(ethylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; (RS) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(ethylsulfinyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; N-Cyclopropyl-4-[8-(ethylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; N-Cyclopropyl-4-[6-phenyl-8-(propylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; (RS) N-Cyclopropyl-4-[6-phenyl-8-(propylsulfinyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; N-Cyclopropyl-4-[6-phenyl-8-(propylsulfonyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; 4-[8-(Butylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]-N-cyclopropylbenzamide; (RS) 4-[8-(Butylsulfinyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]-N-cyclopropylbenzamide; 4-[8-(Butylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]-N-cyclopropylbenzamide; N-Cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(3,3-dimethylbutyl)sulfanyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; (RS) N-Cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(3,3-dimethylbutyl)sulfinyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; N-Cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(3,3-dimethylbutyl)sulfonyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; (RS) N-Cyclopropyl-4-{6-phenyl-8-[(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)sulfanyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-{6-phenyl-8-[(2RS)-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)sulfinyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-{6-phenyl-8-[(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)sulfonyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; 4-[6-bromo-8-(methylsulfonyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]-N-cyclopropylbenzamide; (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[S-methyl-N-(trifluoroacetyl)sulfonimidoyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; tert-butyl[2-({3-[4-(cyclopropylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-8-yl}sulfanyl)ethyl]carbamate; N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(pentylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(pentylsulfinyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(pentylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(isopropylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(isopropylsulfinyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(isopropylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(isobutylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(isobutylsulfinyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; N-cyclopropyl-4-[8-(isobutylsulfonyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl]benzamide; N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(3-methylbutyl)sulfanyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(3-methylbutyl)sulfinyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(3-methylbutyl)sulfonyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; N-cyclopropyl-4-{6-phenyl-8-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)sulfanyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-{6-phenyl-8-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)sulfinyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; N-cyclopropyl-4-{6-phenyl-8-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)sulfonyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(2-furylmethyl)sulfanyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(2-furylmethyl)sulfinyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(2-furylmethyl)sulfonyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; 3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine; 3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)-6-(4-vinylphenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine; 3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)-6-(pyridin-4-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine; 3-{3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-6-yl}prop-2-yn-1-ol; N-[2-({3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-8-yl}sulfanyl)ethyl]acetamide; 2-(4-{3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-6-yl}phenyl)ethanol; (1R or 1S)-1-(4-{3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-6-yl}phenyl)ethanol; (1S or 1R)-1-(4-{3-[4-(2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenyl]-8-(methylsulfanyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-6-yl}phenyl)ethanol; N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(4-hydroxybutyl)sulfanyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; (RS) N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(4-hydroxybutyl)sulfinyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; N-cyclopropyl-4-{8-[(4-hydroxybutyl)sulfonyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}benzamide; 4-{8-[(2-aminoethyl)sulfanyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}-N-cyclopropylbenzamide; (RS) tert-butyl[2-({3-[4-(cyclopropylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-8-yl}sulfinyl)ethyl]carbamate; tert-butyl[2-({3-[4-(cyclopropylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-8-yl}sulfonyl)ethyl]carbamate; and 4-{8-[(2-aminoethyl)sulfonyl]-6-phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3-yl}-N-cyclopropylbenzamide.
 6. A method of preparing a compound of formula (Ia):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d), R^(5b) and R^(5c) are as defined in claim 1, in which method an intermediate compound of formula (VIII):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) are as defined in claim 1, is allowed to react with an amine of formula (VIIIa):

in which R^(5b) and R^(5c) are as defined in claim 1, thus providing a compound of general formula (Ia).
 7. A method of preparing a compound of formula (Ib):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d), and R⁵ are as defined in claim 1, in which method an intermediate methyl sulphone compound of formula (VII):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) are as defined in claim 1, is allowed to react with a thiol of formula (VIIa), which is deprotonated:

in which R⁵ is as defined in claim 1, thus providing a compound of general formula (Ib).
 8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.
 9. A pharmaceutical combination comprising: one or more compounds according to claim 1; and one or more agents selected from: a taxane; an epothilone; Mitoxantrone; Predinisolone; Dexamethasone; Estramustin; Vinblastin; Vincristin; Doxorubicin; Adriamycin; Idarubicin; Daunorubicin; Bleomycin; Etoposide; Cyclophosphamide; Ifosfamide; Procarbazine; Melphalan; 5-Fluorouracil; Capecitabine; Fludarabine; Cytarabine; Ara-C; 2-Chloro-2′-deoxyadenosine; Thioguanine; an anti-androgen; Bortezomib; a platinum derivative; Chlorambucil; Methotrexate; and Rituximab.
 10. A method for the inhibition of Mps-1 in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound according to claim
 1. 11. A compound of formula (VIII):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) are as defined in claim 1, or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, an N-oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, or a salt thereof, or a mixture of same.
 12. A compound of formula (VII):

in which R¹, R², R^(3a), R^(3b), R^(4a), R^(4b), R^(4c), R^(4d) are as defined in claim
 1. 13. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 9, wherein the taxane is selected from Docetaxel, Paclitaxel, and Taxol.
 14. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 9, wherein the epothilone is selected from Ixabepilone, Patupilone, and Sagopilone.
 15. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 9, wherein the anti-androgen is selected from Flutamide, Cyproterone acetate, and Bicalutamide.
 16. The pharmaceutical combination according to claim 9, wherein the platinum derivative is selected from Cisplatin and Carboplatin. 